IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


?' 


/,^/* 

-•^  <^^^ 


1.0 


I.I 


11.25 


l^|2|8    |2^ 

Uj  ^^"    ■■■ 

ut  l&i   |22 

•f  Hi    "^ 

S  La  12.0 

III^H 

•IMU 

|U    il.6 


Photographic 

Sdences 

Corfwration 


o^ 


33  WfST  MAIN  STRiiT 

WUSTIR.^i.Y.  MSIO 

/"«)  l;73-4S03 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CiHM/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  do  microreproductions  historiquos 


^ 


Technical  and  Bibltographic  Notaa/Notaa  tachniquaa  at  Mbliographlqiiaa 


Tha  Inatituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  baat 
original  copy  availabia  for  fUmlng.  Faaturaa  off  thia 
copy  wMeh  may  ba  bibllographlcally  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  off  tha  Imagaa  in  tha 
raproduction.  or  which  may  aignifflcantly  changa 
tha  uaual  mathod  off  ffllming,  ara  chackad  balow. 


D 


n 


n 


D 


Colourad  covara/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


I     I   Covara  damagad/ 


Couvartura  andommagAa 

Covara  raatorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  raataurAa  at/ou  pailiculte 

Covar  titia  mfasing/ 

La  titra  da  couvartura  manqua 

Colourad  mapa/ 

Cartaa  gtegraphlquaa  an  coulaur 


□   Colourad  ink  (i.a.  othar  than  b!ua  or  black)/ 
Encra  da  coulaur  (i.a.  autra  qua  biaua  ou  noira) 

rn   Colourad  plataa  and/or  iiiuatrationt/ 


Planchaa  at/ou  iiluatrationa  an  coulaur 


Bound  with  othar  matariai/ 
Rali4  avac  d'autraa  documanta 


Tight  binding  may  causa  shadows  or  distortion 
along  intarior  margin/ 

La  raliura  sarrAa  paut  causar  da  I'ombra  ou  da  la 
distortion  la  long  da  la  marga  ir*tiriaura 

Blank  laavas  addad  during  rastoration  may 
appaar  within  tha  taxt.  Whanavar  possibla.  thasa 
hava  baan  omittof*  from  ffllming/ 
II  sa  peut  qua  cartk    is  pagas  blanches  ajoutias 
lors  d'una  rastauration  apparaissant  dana  la  taxta. 
mats,  lorsqua  cala  Atait  possibla,  cas  pagas  n'ont 
pas  At*  fflimAas. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commantairas  supplAmantairas: 


T> 
to 


L'lnsthut  a  microfflim*  la  maiUaur  axamplaira 
qu1l  lui  a  4t4  poaalbia  da  aa  procurer.  Lea  cMtaiia 
da  cat  exempleire  qui  aont  paut-Atre  unlquea  du 
pdm  da  vue  bibllographique.  qui  peuvent  modiffier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modifflcation  dana  la  mithoda  normala  de  ffilmage 
aont  indlquAs  d-deaaoua. 


r~1  Colourad  pagea/ 


□  Pagea  damaged/ 
Pagea 

r~1  Pagea  restored  and/or  lamineted/ 


Pagea  da  coulaur 

Pagea  damaged/ 
Pagea  andommagAea 

Pagea  restored  and/oi 

Pagea  rastaurAas  at/ou  pelliculAes 

S  Pagea  discoloured,  stained  or  ffoxed/ 
Pegea  dAcoloriaa,  tachatAea  ou  piquAea 

Pagea  detached/ 
Pages  dAtachAes 

Showthroughy 
Tranaparance 

Quality  off  prin 

QualitA  inigele  de  I'lmpression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  matAriel  supplAmentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Adftion  disponible 


Til 

P« 

off 
fflii 


Of 
ba 

th( 

ak 
oti 
fflr 
all 
or 


I     I  Pagea  detached/ 

r^   Showthrough/ 

|~~|   Quality  off  print  varies/ 

r~n  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

r~n  Only  edition  available/ 


Th 
ah 
Til 
wl 

Ml 
dil 
en 
be 
rig 
re< 


Pagea  wholly  or  partially  obacurad  by  errata 
slips,  tissuea.  etc.,  hava  been  refilmed  to 
enaura  tha  beat  possible  Image/ 
Lea  pagas  totalamant  ou  partiellement 
obacurcias  per  un  ffeuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  AtA  ffilmAes  A  nouveau  da  ffapon  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  ffilmed  at  tha  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmA  au  faux  da  rAduction  indiquA  ci-dassous. 


10X 

14X 

1SX 

22X 

2SX 

aox 

y 

13X 

16X 

aox 

24X 

MX 

32X 

du 

>difi«r 
un« 
nag* 


Th«  copy  filmMl  h&n  hM  b««n  raproduotd  tluinkt 
to  tlw  ewMTMitv  of: 

Library  Division 

Provindai  AreNvai  of  British  Coiumbia 

Tho  imagoo  oppoarino  hara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
pooalbia  conaMarlng  tha  condition  and  laglbillty 
of  tha  original  copy  and  In  kaaping  with  tha 
fuming  contract  apaclf icatlona. 


L'cKamplalra  fllm4  f ut  raprodult  grica  A  la 
g«n*roaM  da: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 

Laa  Imagaa  aulvantaa  ont  4tA  raprodultaa  avac  la 
plua  grand  aoln,  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattat*  da  raxamplalra  film*,  at  an 
conformM  avac  laa  condltlona  du  contrat  da 
fllmaga. 


Original  coplaa  In  printad  papar  cov<;/t  ara  f llmad 
baglnning  with  tha  front  cover  and  anding  on 
tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad  or  llluatratad  Impraa- 
alon.  or  tho  back  cover  whan  approprlata.  All 
othar  original  coplaa  ara  fllmad  baglnning  on  tha 
f  irat  paga  with  a  printad  or  llluatratad  impraa- 
alon.  and  anding  on  tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad 
or  llluatratad  Impraaalon. 


Tha  laat  racordad  frama  on  aach  microfiche 
ahaN  contain  tha  aymbol  -^  (moaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  tha  aymbol  Y  (moaning  "END"I. 
wMchavar  appliaa. 


Laa  axamplalraa  orlglnauK  dont  la  couvartura  mn 
papiar  aat  ImprimAa  aont  fiimAa  an  commandant 
par  la  pramlar  plat  at  an  tarmlnant  colt  par  la 
darnlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'impraaaion  ou  d'iiluatration.  aoit  par  la  aacond 
pkit.  aalon  la  caa.  Toua  laa  autraa  axamplalraa 
originaux  aont  fllmte  un  commandant  par  la 
pramlAra  page  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'impraaaion  ou  d'lliuctration  at  an  tarminant  par 
la  darnlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  taila 
amprainta. 

Un  daa  aymboiaa  auivanta  apparattra  sur  la 
darnMra  imaga  da  chaqua  microfiche,  salon  la 
cas:  la  symbole  -^  signifie  'A  8UIVRE".  le 
•ymboie  y  aignifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plataa.  charta,  etc..  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  expoaura  are  filmed 
boi'innlng  In  the  upper  left  hend  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  aa  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diegrems  illustrate  the 
method: 


Lea  cartes,  plenches.  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmAe  A  des  teux  de  rAduction  diff Arents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grond  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  soul  ciichA.  il  est  filmA  A  pertir 
de  I'angie  supArieur  geuche.  de  gauche  A  droite. 
et  de  haut  en  bea.  en  prenent  le  nombre 
d'imeges  nAcessaire.  Las  diagrammas  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


rreta 

o 


lalure. 
lA 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

//.\ 


/j'v<^7ffs'cc-'-^^--(-  - 


^ 


ONK  llVriir,  KAHi.lKSI' ANU  MOST  .MTIVK  I'KDNUn'KKS 

n  F    I'lll-. 

SOinilKUN  I'AC.ll-lC  KAII.UOAl) 


1 


hi: 


\K.\ 


LIFB    OF 


Thomas  Hawley  Canfield 


HIS  KAKLV  i:rF()KTS  TO  OPKN  A  KorTK  FOR  THH  TRANSrORTATION 

Ol  THK  I'ROnUCTS  OF  THF  WKST  TO  NFW  ENGLAND, 

BY  WAV  OF  THF  GREAT  FAKES 

ST.  LAWRENCE  RlVER  AND  VERMONT  RAILROADS, 


ASP 


HIS  CONMXTION   WITH  Till:   EAKI.^    IIISToKV  01    TIIK 


Northern  Pacific  Railroad, 


I'KOM     I  UK 


HISTORY  OF  THE  RED  RIVER  VALLEY,   NORTH   DAKOTA 

AMI 

PARK  REGION  OF  NORTHWESTERN  MINNESOTA. 


WITH     PLATE. 


BURLINGTON,  VERMONT 

1889. 


IxiNdlUK  \  HK.WKHKKKV, 

I'KIMKKn  Km.kWI  KS  AM)  HisuKKS, 

(  HICAGO. 


i 


^E  OF 


Thomas  Hawley  Canfield 


«^^1^r^C)  ^FAX  is  mure  worthy  of  an 

J^  }(lr>^  'jI  «'xtoiulu»l  iiiul  (•  red  i  t  a  1)  I  o 
|a>AMK| "  T  notice  ill  a  voluiiie  devoted 
^f^v^k  )y  to  the  eminent  men  of  north- 
^)s>  NJI^  *'•■•>  Minnesota  llian  Thomas 
11.  ("anfield,  nlio  will  form 
the  suhject  i>\'  our  present  article.  He  is  a 
resident  of  Lake  Park.  Minnesota,  althoiigli 
on  acL'ount  of  extensive  interests  in  IJiiriinir- 
ton.  A'ennont,  much  of  his  time  is  s|) 'iit  in 
the  East.  A  historv  of  iiis  life  is,  to  n  trreat 
extent,  a  historv  of  the  inception  and  inau- 
guration of  ihat  <.^reat  enterprise,  the  Xorth- 
ern  Pacific  Raiiroail,  as  he  was  one  of  the 
founders,  and  to  him,  more  tlian  to  aiiv 
other  one  man,  was  due  its  organization  and 
getting  it  into  some  practical  form  and  sys- 
tem in  ils  early  days,  lie  has,  therefore,  been 
closely  identitied  with  tlie  growth  and  devel- 
opment of  the  Xorthwest,  and  his  name  is 
indissolulily  associated  with  the  history  of 
botli  State  and  Nation.  A  man  of  broad 
ideas,  wonderful  vitality  and  energy,  uncon- 
ijiierable  will  and  indefatigable  pei-severance. 
the  history  t)f  the  gigantic  enterprises  which 
he  has  inaugiirateil  and  {ilaced  in  shape  for 


successful  consummation,  demonstrate  the 
characteristics  of  the  man.  A  man  of  the 
strictest  integrity,  kind  and  courteous,  of 
extensive  reading  and  oliservation,  together 
with  his  keen  foresight  and  executive  abili- 
ties, he  has  iiulelilily  impressed  his  individu- 
ality upon  the  history  of  the  great  undt-r- 
takings  with  which  he  has  been  connected. 
The  generation  in  whidi  we  live  has  scarcely 
furnished  a  more  worthy  subject  for  the  pen 
«>f  the  biographer. 

(.i:XKAl.o<.V. 

James  I)e  Philo,  a  Fn-nch  iruguenot  and 
citizen  of  Normandy,  France,  in  the  six- 
teenth century,  in  reward  for  meritorious 
services  to  the  crown  of  England,  received 
honorable  mention,  a  new  cognomen  and  a 
grant  of  land  on  the  river  '"("am,"  county 
of  Yorkshire,  England,  to  which  he  removed 
and  afterward  occupied  as  a  loyal  sul)ject  of 
the  crown.  lie  received  the  cognomen  of 
"Cam,"'  in  distinction  of  the  land  "rant. 
Subsequently  from  "Cam  De  Philo"'  the 
name  was  changetl  in  England  in  the  six- 
teenth century    to   "  Cain-philo,"    then   to 


?^7nf^(i 


T//o.\/.is  II.  cAXiii  I n. 


"('imi|tliil<>,'"  and  l)y  lii^  dcsccndimts  in  ltl;5'.». 
ill  Nfw  IliivtMi,  ('tuiiieclk-ut.  to  "( 'innpliit'ld." 
Later  in  Milfonl.  C«>nn»'rticiit.  in  M>".  to 
••Canilicld.""  and  still  latci-  in  Mill'ord.  in 
1T*2<>.  to  "C'anlicld.""  uliicli  lias  sinrt-  liccn 
retained  l»y  tiie  descendiints  in  tlit'  I'liited 
Slates. 

<  >i f  liis  descendants,  TJMnnas  Canlield. 

and  I'lielie  Crane,  liis  wilt?,  eanie  to  Milt'oi<l. 
ConnectiiMit.  in  ltl4*J.  and  he  died  there 
All"ll^t  2"_'.  H'>*»'.'.  His  son  -lereiniah.  who 
was  liorn  in  Ititiii.  resitled  in  Mill'ord  until 
1727.  wiieniit!  removed  to  New  .Mill'ord  and 
died  in  17-".'.>.  He  had  ten  ehildi'en.  The 
ninth  son,  Zernl)lial»el.  in  17:^:5  niiirried  Marv 
liostwick.  and  they  l»(,'canie  the  parents  of 
ei«rht  ehildren.  Thcii-  third  child,  Nathan, 
was  horn  .Iidy  2^.  17;'.'.',  in  .New  Mill'ord. 
ConnecticMt.  and  removed  t<t  .Vrlinnton.  Ilen- 
nineldii  county.  A'erniont,  in  17<>>'.  l*"or  his 
iii'st  wile  he  married,  NoveinlKM'  14,  17t)r), 
l.ois  Hard,  a  daughter  of  .lames  Hard,  iiy 
whom  he  had  I'our  children.  After  her 
death  he   ni:  '    I'etsy    lUirton.  hy  whom 

he  had  sevep  and  one  tianghlor.     Sam- 

uel, the  si.xth  si  ;,,  was  horn  in  Arliniflon, 
January  2.  17'.t2.  and  died  Septendjer  2*^.1  ^4(». 
He  was  the  i'athei-  of  the  snhject  of  this 
sketch. 

Now  lo  ti'acetheii'cnealo^^y  on  the  mother's 
s:de:.Ioseph  Hawley.who  was  horn  in  1  )eihy- 
shire,  Knyland.  in  It'Hi.'i,  came  to  Sti'atford, 
Connecticut,  and  died  in  Itl'.Mi.  He  ha<l 
eig-lit  children,  live  sons  and  three  daughters. 
His  oldest  t'hiltl,  Samuel,  was  horn  in  Strat- 
ford. C(»nnecticut.  in  1<'47,  and  mai'ried  I'oi- 
his  iirstwife,  May  2o,  l»i7o.  .\rary  Thompson, 
grand-dau<ihter  of  (ioverntjr  AVelles  of  Farm- 
inii'toii.  Connecticut.  They  had  si.\  sons  and 
one  daughter.  After  her  death  he  married 
a  seconil  time,  and  had  four  sons  and  one 
dauiiiiter.  He  died  August  24.  17:14.  Kph- 
niiin.  the  oldest  child  i)y  the  .second  mar- 
riage, was  l)orn  in  New  ^lilford.  Connecticut, 
ill,  IGOU,    and    married,   Octoher   5,    1711. 


Sarah  Curtiss.  of  Stratford,  Connecticut,  ami 
removed  to  Arlington.  Vermont,  wliere  he 
died  in  1771,  and  was  hurled  in  the  cluircii- 
yard  adjoining  the  chui-cli.  They  lia<l  eight 
sons  and  two  daiightei's.  Their  oldest  child, 
.lehiel,  was  horn  in  New  Milfonl,  Connecti- 
cut, Fehruary  14.  1712,  and  married  Sarah 
Ihmning,  March  ."><•,  17:'l,  and  removed  to 
Arlington.  X'ei-mont,  ahout  17t'>4.  Thev  had 
live  sons  and  live  daughters.  Andrew,  tiieir 
oldest  chiUI,  was  horn  June  22.  17;>2,  at  New- 
town, now  Mridgeport,  Connecticut,  and 
married,  .lanuaiv  2, 1 7r>7.  Ann.  a  daugliler  of 
.lames  Hard.  He  died  June  24.  ISdl.  They 
had  ten  ciiihlren — seven  sons  and  three 
daughters.  Kli.  their  oldest  child,  was  horn 
in  New  .Milford.  Connecticut,  Novemhei' 2h. 
1 7.'"> 7  :  removed  to  Arlingt(»n,  N'erniont.  anil 
mairied.  Novemher  4,  17>7,  NLary  .lell'ers,  of 
Chaleui',  Lowei  Canada,  ami  <lied  at  Alton. 
Illinois.  January  r.>.  lS.">o.  They  had  four 
.sons  and  one  daughter.  Mary  Ann.  who  was 
horn  Xovendter  t!,  17'.'.">,  m  New  Carlisle, 
on  hay  of  Chaleur,  Province  of  Lower 
Canada,  and  was  married  to  Samuel  Canlield. 
in  Arlington.  l»v  the  Hev.  Ahraham  I'ronson, 
Octnher  2'.t.  lN2n,  and  died  July  22,  1^*2.^. 
Thev  had  two  children,  one  a  (laughter, 
Marion,  horn  January  2.  1S24.  in  Arlington, 
and  nuirried  to  the  Kev.  Fletcher  J.  ILiwIey, 
D.I).,  hy  the  Right  Itev.  Mishop  Hojjkin.s. 
in  St.  i'aul's  Church,  JUirlington,  Vermont, 
Novemher  2,  ISii.'l,  and  now  residing  at  Lake 
I'aik,  Minnesota:  the  other  a  son,  Thomas 
Hawley  Canlield,  the  suhject  of  this  sketch, 
who  was  Ixn-n  at  Arlington,  Bennington 
county.  N'ermoiit.  March  21*,  1S:>2. 

Vermont,  especially  that  part  west  of  the 
(ireen  mountains,  was  mostly  settled  hy  j)eo- 
ple  from  Connecticut,  commencing  about 
17<'''»,  who  received  the  titles  to  their  lands 
hy  chartei-  from  l>enning  Wentworth,  the 
colonial  govein<»r  of  New  Hampshire.  Sev- 
(Mal  families  had  come  to  Ai'lington  to 
nud<e  it  their  hcjuie,  amtrng  them  the  ('un- 


til 


r//o.w.is  It.  cAXi  ii:i I). 


uiim«ctic'iit,.'iii(l 
nont,  wlicrc  lie 
I  in  the  cliiiirli 
TIk'v  IiikI  oijrlit 
t'ir  ohU'st  cliild. 
If«»r(l,  Coiinocti 

iii.irricd  Siirali 
ii«l  rcniDvcd  to 
♦i4.     Tliry  lia.l 

Andrew,  tlicir 
.  17:!l'.  :it  Ncw- 
niK'cticnt.  and 
.  a  dauj^littT  of 
!4.  isdl.  Thev 
ms  and  tliirc 
'liild,  was  l)<»rn 
.  Novcinlx'i'  L'o. 

\'»'i-inont.  and 
arv  .IcHVrs,  of 
dii'd  at  Alton. 
Mn'v  had  four 
Ann.  who  was 
xVew    Carlisle. 

ICO     of      I.OW«'l' 

iniuci  Canfield. 
iihani  Mronson, 

July  2-J,  182:). 
e  a  dau<^liter, 
.  in  Aflinyton. 
Ih'I-J.  llawley. 
■ihop  Hopkins, 
ton,  Vt'i-niont. 
silling- at  Lake 

son.  Thomas 
of  this  sketcii. 
,    Bennington 

rt  west  of  the 
ettied  by  peo- 
encing  about 
»  their  lands 
■ntworth,  the 
ipshire.  Sev- 
Arlingt<jn  to 
leui  the  (^an- 


liilds.  ilinvicys.  Ilards.  Aliens  an<l  Makers, 
the  most  proiiunriii.  The  new  >ettlers  went 
on  to  improve  their  lands  and  tix  up  tlieii' 
IK'W  homes,  when  lliev  Wfri-  startled., Inly  2". 
IT'it.  I>v  a  derision  of  the  crown  that  the 
teriiioi'v  was  ad  jiidi:»'d  to  lie  undei' t  he  juris- 
diction of  New  York,  supposing'  that  the 
;:reat  sea!  of  a  roval  uoveriior  wasa  suUicieiit 
jjnarantee  thai  theirtitles  were  valid.  Hence 
thcif  arose  at  >>nce  the  i^reat  ijiieNtion  of  ihe 
eoiitlictihi;  claims  of  New  ^'ork  and  .New 
Hampshire,  over  the  territory  known  as  \'er- 
liioiit.  in  which  each  State  attempted  eithei' 
to  control  the  whole  oi-  at  least  to  divide  the 
territory  lietweeii  theni.  and  thus  oMiti-rate 
N'ermoiit  completely  as  a  separate  Territory 
ami  from  ever  liecomiiii;-  an  independent 
State  in  the  future.  This  involved  a  louu' 
and  hitter  controversy  between  Xew  Hamp- 
shire ami  New  York,  which,  tou'cther  with 
the  increasing  feeliny  amoiit;'  the  colonies 
of  ho<tility  to  England,  placed  the  settlei's  in 
a  very  unpleasant,  not  to  say  dangerous,  situ- 
ation, itorderiug,  as  N'cruioiit  did.  upon 
Canada,  subject  upon  tin- slightest  provoca- 
tion to  attacks  from  the  llritish.  and  with 
Lake  Cluimplain  upon  her  western  bfn-- 
der.  which  was  the  great  route  of 
ihe  Knglish  between  New  York  and 
Montreal.  Ium-  territory  becanu*  the  battle- 
ground between  the  three  contending  parties, 
with  Knglaiid  upon  tlu' one  hand  eiideavoi'- 
ing  to  prevent  her  frou)  joiniui:'  the  other 
colonies  in  their  nujvement  for  independence, 
while  New  \drk  and  New  Uampshii'e  de- 
sired to  lilot  her  out  entirely.  I'nder  such 
circumstances  the  situation  of  a  mere  hand- 
ful of  settlers  was  veiw  trying  as  well  as 
dangei'ous,  and  recju'red  not  only  gi-eat 
bravery,  patriotism  and  couiage  but  gi'eat 
wisdom,  forethought  and  prudent  action  in 
the  management  of  theii-  atl'airs.  bringing  to 
the  front  men  of  the  most  varied  ability  ami 
iliil'erent  views.  S(»me  turbulent  spirits  like 
(ten.    Kthan  Allen.    Remember    Maker   ami 


Col.  Seth  Warner  were  ready  to  declare  opi-n 
hostility  ai.'-ainst  all  the  claimants,  while 
others  like  Chittenden.  Hawley  and  Canlicltl. 
of  a  more  mild.  con>ei'vative  and  prudent 
charactei'.  were  disposed  to  move  more 
caiiliously.  awaiting  the  development  of 
events.  Arlington  was  the  great  central 
point  of  all  opei'ations.  iiei'e  was  the  liead- 
(piarters  of  the  "Council  of  Safely."  which 
had  unlimited  powers  for govt-rnuieiit  of  the 
Stat":  hei-e  resided  Thomas  ( 'hitteiiden.  its 
president,  the  (Jeorge  Washingttm  of  \'er- 
mont.  who  was  afterward  elected  governor 
of  the  State  for  tweniy  yeai's.  Ilei'e  lived 
(ieii.  Kthan  Allen,  the  hero  of  Ticonderoga, 
who.  with  a  handful  of  ( ireen  .Mountain  boys, 
•  lenumded  its  surrender  in  the  name  of  the 
••  (ireat  .leliovah  and  the  Continental  Con- 
gress." Here  assendileil  his  com|»anions  and 
associates.  IJemember  Maker.  Col.  Seth 
Warner  and  others,  to  concoct  theii-  plans  to 
resist  the  New  Yoi'kers  and  to  teach  them 
that  the  ••  gods  of  the  valleys  were  not  the 
gods  of  the  hills." 

('apt  Jehiel  Hawley  and  Nathan  Canlield. 
from  their  wcll-kiiown  sound  judgment  an<l 
common  sense,  as  well  as  irreproachable  pri- 
vate charactei's  and  high  moral  worth, 
became  the  leaders,  and  for  some  time  man- 
aged and  controlled  this  chaotic  people. 
After  all  other  att«Miipts  had  failed  to  satisfy 
.New  York  of  the  justic-e  of  the  title  to  theii' 
possessions  from  New  Hampshire,  at  a  meet- 
ing held  Octolier  21.  1772.  ('apt.  Jehiel 
Hawley  and  .lames  l'.i'eekenri<lge  were  sent 
to  Knglaiid  to  lay  before  King  (Jeoi'ge 
III.  the  state  of  atl'aiis,  ami  succeeded  in 
getting  an  order  from  the  king  forbidtling; 
the  governor  of  Nt!W  York  from  interfering- 
with  the  titles  an<l  lands  granted  by  the  gov- 
ernoi'of  New  Hampshire.  With  this  decision 
of  the  crown  in  their  favor.  Hawley  and 
I'.reckenridge  returned,  expecting  that  it 
would  settle  all  disputes,  and  the  settlers 
naturally  expected   to  go   on   in    peace'  and 


■J J/ O. MAS  J/.  CAM- HID. 


(•It'iir  up  tlie  wildonifss.     l!nt    the  order  of 
till'  kiiiii-  was  hut  little  ivj,Mr»itMl  In-  the  j,'«'H- 
eral   assfiiihlv  ol'   New  VorU.  whieh  onVred 
a  hoiinty  of  i'."><'   for   the    apprehension  of 
oitiier  of  t'le  leaders.     I'p  to  this  time  the 
peoplf  of  this  section  weicsidtstaiitially  one, 
a  eoninion   danjrer  eonipclliny  all  to  unite. 
Hut  tliis  act  of  the  general  asseinhly  of  New 
York  aroused  to  action  all  classes,  and    was 
answered  i»y  a  series  of  resolutions  of  a  gen- 
eral meeting  •'  of  the  tommittees  of  the  sev- 
eral townsiiips  ontiie  west  siile  of  the  (iieeti 
mountains,"  held  at  the  houseof  .lehiel  llaw- 
ley  on  the  third  Wednesday  of  Mai'ch,  1774, 
counseling  resistance    to  all   encroaciimeiits 
of   New  York.     To   show   iiow  determined 
these  peoi)le  were  to  maintain  their  rights 
auainst  <'reat  superiorit  v  of  numbers,  in  1774 
J)r.  Samuel  A<hims,  holding  lands  under  title 
from  New  Hampshire,  exasperated  iiisneigh- 
hoi's  hy  advising  them  to  re-purchase  their 
lands  from  New  York.    He  was  arrested  and 
carried  to  the (ireen  Mountaiti  Tavern  at  I'en- 
nington,    where    the   committee  heard    his 
defense  and  tlien  ordered  him  to  lietied  to  an 
armchair  and  hoisted  up  to  the  sign  (a  cata- 
mount skin,  stutfed. sitting  upon  the  sign-post, 
twentv-live  feet  from  the  jiiound.  with  larye 
teeth  grinning  toward  New  York),  aiul  tliere 
hung  two  hours  in  sight  of  the  |»eople,  as  a 
punishment  merited  I »y  his  enmity  to  the  rights 
and  lilierliesof  theiteople.    .latiuary  'J*>,  I77."». 
Jjenjamin    Hough,   of  Clarendon,  a  I'aplist 
minister  who    had  Just  obtained  a  commis- 
sion   from     New    York    as    justice    of    the 
peace,     was    ariested     liy    (ieneral     Ktlian 
Allen  and  tied  to  an  apple  tree  in   front  of 
liis    house   at   Sunderland    and    whipped,   in 
])ursuaiu,'e  of  a  sentence  of  the  committee  of 
safety.     In    England    ("apt.   .lehiel    Hawley 
was  treated  with  the  most    flattering  marks 
of  respect,  by  several  of  the  prominent  men, 
and  especially   by  the  Eaii  of    I)artmouth: 
sticii    was  the  estimation  in  which    liis  pru- 
ilence   and  judgment   was  iield    l)y    the  co- 


partners in  the  agency,  that  they  would  never 
act  as  a  board  without  his  preseiu-e,  and  by 
his  nu'ans  chiefly  the  Vermont  claims  were 
sul>staiitiated. 

During  all  this  time  from  17<'»4,  amid  all 
the  accessions  to  this  colony  from  Connecticut 
and    elsewhere,    then'   was   no    minister   of 
any  denomination.     Captain  .leiiiel  Hawley 
was  the  acknowledged  leader,  to  whom  all. 
ev(Mi  the  most  turi)ulent  spirit.s,  yielded.     He 
l)uilt   the  first  frame    house    in    Arlington, 
and,  being  a  man  of  high  moral  character 
and  a  devoted  and  exemplary  communicant 
of  the  Church  of  Engl.uid,  to  his  house,  Sun- 
day after  Sun<'»y.  tlu  people  from  all  parts 
of  the  surrounding  ('(juntry  came  for  public 
worship.     Captain  Hawley  read  the  service 
of  the  (,'hurch  of  England  and  a  .sermon,  the 
*' J'rotestant  Epi.scopal  Church  in  the  United 
States"  at  this  early  day  not  iuiving  been 
regularly  organized  in  America.     The  diffi- 
culties of  the  times  delayed  the  buiUlingof  a 
church,  although  the  services  were  kept  up 
regularly  by  Captain  Hawley,  which  formed 
the  inicleus  of  a  congregation,  and  in  17S4  a 
parish  was  organized.     Two  shillings  on  a 
pound    were   levied   on   the   inhabitants  to 
i)uild   the  church,   now    St.  .lames  church. 
.\rliny:ton — the  original  building  having  been 
replaced  l)v  a  stone  one  on  the   same  site  in 
is;):.'  —  which  was  the  first  Episcopal  church 
organized   in    Vermont.     In  1787  thisi)arish 
was    represented   in  the   convention  of  the 
Protestant   Ei)iscoi>al  Church,  at  Stratford, 
Connecticut,  l)y   Nathan   Canlield,  the  lirst 
delegate. 

Notwithstanding  the  continued  ayores- 
sions  of  New  Ycjrk  the  inhabitants,  under 
the  leadershij)  of  Captain  Hawley,  were 
making  rapid  improvements,  wlii'n  a  new 
ti'oul)le  wasapi)roacliingin  177.">.  The  troui)le 
betweiMi  the  colonies  and  England  had  cul- 
minated and  the  i>attle  of  Lexington  opened 
the  War  of  the  Hevolution.  A  convention 
.  of    the   peojjle  of  Vermont    was  called    in 


I 


■J  l/OMAS  II.  CAXFII-.I.D. 


'V  would  never 
t'scnce,  jiiul   \)\ 
it  rlaiiiis  wore 

IT«'>4,  aiiiiti  all 
(inCoiineeticut 
<)  minister  ol 
.leliiel  Ilawh'v 

U>  whom  all. 
i,  yielded.  He 
ill  ArlihjLrtun. 
oral  character 

communicant 
his  house,  Snn- 
from  all  parts 
line  for  public 
ad  the  service 
1  a  sermon,  the 
1  in  the  United 
t  having  l)een 
ca.  The  diffi- 
le  ijiiildin<r()f  a 
wore  kept  u|) 
,  which  formed 
,  und  in  1784  a 
sliillin<3's  on  a 
inhabitants  to 
lames  church, 
n;,"- having  been 

0  same  site  in 
•iscopal  church 
787  this  parish 
•ention  of  the 
,  at  Stratford, 
field,  the  first 

in  lied  aggres- 
l)itants,  under 

1  aw  ley,     were 
when    a   new 

5.  The  trouble 
■land  had  cul- 
ington  opened 
A  convention 
vas   calletl    in 


177'"'  to  draft  a  constitution,  which  was  done, 
dedariii!:  \'i'riMont  an  independent  State; 
but  liel'un- the  ('oii>litutioM  coiiid  lie  rutilied 
by  the  people  (ieneral  i'liirgoyne.  with  his 
Spleiidnl  army  ot  lo.oou  men.  hail  entered 
Lake  Cliainplain  and  aiiclioi'ed  in  N'ermoiit 
walfiN.  It  liccaiiie  iicci'ssary,  to  tiieet  the 
eniei-geiicy.  to  form  a  provisioiud  govern- 
nieiif  wiiliuiit  an  liMur'sdelay.and  a  "  ( 'ouncil 
of  Safety  '*  was  appi tinted,  invested  with  all 
the  powers  of  government,  l>oth  civil  and 
mililaiy.  Its  power  was  unlimit«>d  and  abso- 
lut<'.  and.  in  fact,  the  urgency  was  so  gr«'at 
that  it  was  necessary  t<>  place  in  the  hands 
of  tlie  tourteen  men  cDinposinglhe  ""  Council 
of  Safety''  the  legislative,  executive  and 
judicial  jxtwcrs  of  the  State,  and  intrust 
them  with  the  life,  lilterty  and  property  of 
every  individual.  It  was  a  dark  hour — no 
money  "u  the  treasury.no  lime  for  taxation, 
no  credit  to  l)orrow;  desperate  measures 
were  necessary.  A  commission  of  sequestra- 
tion was  appointed,  "invested  with  full 
authority  to  seize  the  goods  and  chattels  of 
all  persons  who  had  oi'  should  join  the  com- 
mon enemy,  sell  them  it  public  vendue  and 
the  proceeds  to  be  paid  over  to  the  treasurer 
to  lie  appointed  l)y  the  council." 

The  council  (»f  safety  as  well  as  com- 
missioners of  seijuestration  made  their  head- 
quarters at  Arlington.  Thomas  riiittenden. 
afterward  govei'nor  of  the  State  for  twenty 
years,  was  its  president,  and  Ira  Allen, 
brother  of  (icu.  Ktiiaii  Allen,  its  secretary. 
Tills  sudden  change  of  alfairs  compelled  the 
people  at  oiu-e  to  decide  what  course  to 
j»ursue.  whether  to  join  the  revolutionists  or 
remain  lityal  t«»  the  crown,  whence  they 
liad  received  by  gift  all  their  lands  and 
pos.sessions.  It  was  a  very  trying  time, 
especially  with  the  commissioners  of 
se(|uestration  encamped  among  them,  urged 
on  by  such  tniuultuoiis  spirits  as  Ethan 
Allen,  Setli  Warner  and  Rememl)er  Uaker, 
to  s«'i/,e.  u[»on  the  sligiitest  sluulow  of  loyalty 


to  KuLdand.  the  property  of  any  one  and 
conli.scate  it.  The  town  was  in  a  critical 
position.  Most  of  its  inhabitants,  while 
feeling  v:rateful  for  all  that  had  been  dt)ne 
for  them  by  the  crown,  felt  tliat  it  would  be 
iietter  for  the  colonies  to  be  all  independent 
nation;  but  whether  tiie  time  liad  come  to 
throw  oir  the  yoke  of  the  motiier  country 
was  the  ipiestion ;  and  whether,  if  over- 
throwing a  good  government  then  existing, 
they  would  lie  assureil  that  the  Kevolutiou 
would  succeed  and  a  better  one  arise  out  of 
the  wreck,  or  whether  anarchy  and  chaos 
would  lie  the  result  for  a  long  time  to  come. 
It  vas  a  ditficiilt  question  to  determine, 
espe<;,,lly  after  having  been  several  years  in 
conti  ct  with  New  York,  and  now.  by  the 
order  of  King  (ieorge  III.,  sustained  in  the 
position  they  had  taken. 

If  till'  powers  of  the  existing  government 
were  shaken  otT,  where  was  the  power  of  i-e- 
organi/atiuu  '.  "Committees  of  Sab-ty  "  had 
been  acce])ted  as  a  necessity,  and  if  the  laws 
then  existing  were  overthrown,  the  prospect 
was.  they  would  be  suiiject  to  the  powers  of 
these  committees  for  an  indetlnite  length  fif 
time.  Is  it  strange  that  men  with  jiroperty 
and  families  should  hesitate;  There  were 
uneasy  spirits  among  the  inhabit!  nts  as  in 
all  communities,  who  disliked  labor  and.  ex- 
pecting to  live  by  there  wits,  were  ready  for 
any  change  by  which  something  mi;:ht  turn 
up  to  thi'ir  advantage.  There  were  others 
who  took  a  more  comprehensive  view,  and 
Wert*  ready  to  risk  everything  from  truly  pa- 
triotic motives  for  the  great  principles  <if 
political  freedom.  Cnfortiinately  these  were 
not  the  men  of  property  and  intluence'.  The 
leaditig  men  <if  the  new  State  were  very  in- 
dignant, especially  as  the  IJritish  army  of 
Id.iHio  iiieii  under  (ieiieral  lUiigoyne  was  on 
its  way  from  Canada.  Public  excitement 
became  very  "icat.  especially  as  theie  were 
no  railroads  or  telegraphs  in  those  tiays  t<> 
keep  the  people  informed  of  the  rapidity  of 


TJ/OMAS  II.  CAXIIEI.D. 


his  upproixcli.     Xaines  of  men  from  all  parts      Canada.     Thus  omied  the  life  of  this  truly 
of  till'  State  were  mentioned  wiio  were  sus-      great  and  good  man,  of  whom  it  may  be  said 
pected  of  Toryism.     Tlie  Council  of  Safety  j  his  enemies  couhl   find   no  fault.     The  laic 
met  frequently  at  Arli:;>gton,  and  woe  be  to      Chief  Justice  of  Vermont.  II(»n.   Charles    K 
the  tory    who  was  suspected  of  loyalty  to  |  'Williams,  said  to    Samuel    Canfield,    "thiii 
the   crown.      It   was  a  trying  time  —  there  i  undoubtedly  ('apt.  Jehiel  Ilawlcy   was  tlir 
was    no    time    for   delay.       Families   were  !  ablest   man  in  his  day  in  Vermont." 
divided    annmg  themselves;     neighbors   ar-  j       Nathan  Canlield   remained  at   Arlington 
rayed   against   each  other,  some  joined  the      during  the  war.     lie  was  the  leading  busi 
revolutionists,  others  renuiined  loyal  to  tl:e  j  ness  spirit  of  the   town,  merchant,  landlord, 
king  and  left  for  Canada,  while  others,  ''who      justice  of  the  peace  and  town  representativi- 
did  not  think  it  right  to  rebel  against  a  king  ;  after  Vermont  became  a  State.     He  built  ;i 
who  had  done  them  no  harm,"'  remained  at  !  large  saw  mill  and  furnace  for  smelting  iron 
their  homes,  sniniiitting  to  the  powers  of  the      ore,  the  first  in  the  State,  organized  the  first 
government  <A/(^;('i'c,  believing  that  ct>lonies      church,  and  at   his    house    the  preliminary 
so  far  from  the  mother  country  ought  at  some  j  arrangements  for  the  first  convention  of  the 
time  to   l>e   independent,   but  was  this  the  j  Protestant  Episcopal   Church   in    A'ermont 
time  '.     This  was  suttlcient  cause  in  the  eyes      were  made  lOU   years  ago.     The   house  he 
of     the     commissioners    of     se([uestration,      built  is  still  standing,  and  in  it  Samuel  Can- 
backed   up   by  restless  spirits,  to  seize  their  j  field  and  his  son,  Thomas  Hawley  Canfield. 
l»roperty  and  confiscate  it.     Captain  Jehiel  i  were  born. 


JIawley  may  i»e  said  to  have  l)elonged  to 
this  last  class,  llis  high  moral  woitli,  peace- 
ful manners  and  kind  considei'ation  and 
friendshi|)  for  all  the   settlers  for  so  many 


At  this  distant  day  it  is  very  ditlicult  to 
undei-stand  the  ditticuhies  and  dangers  of 
those  troublesome  times,  and  the  fact  that 
two  such  men  as  Jehiel  Hawley  and  Nathan 


years  long  secured  him  from  molestation.  ,  Canfield  could  have  ])assed  through  them  all. 
His  aye  was  such  that  there  was  little  dan-  '  retaining:  the  confidence  of  the  whole  com- 
irer  of  his  "oiny,-  to  tlie  eneniv  and  he  could  ;  munitv,  managing  the  pid)lic  business  to  the 
not  well  be  a  lighting  man.  lint  the  e.vten-  ;  satisfaction  of  all  factions,  demonstrates  that 
sivo  jn'operty  whicii  he  and  his  family  pos-  ;  they  were  men  of  uncommon  judgment  and 
sessed     was   a   strong     tem])tation     to   the      common  sense,  as  well  as  extraordinary  char- 


sec  juestra  tors.  Ammymous  lett<'is  were  sent 
to  him  threatening  midnight  assassination, 
and  there  were  circumstances  that  satisfied 
him  that  the  writers  would  not  shrink  from 
making  their  words  g<K)d.  Yielding  to  an 
emergency,  which  he  regarded  necessary  to 
save  his  life,  he  abandoned  his  entire  worhliv 


acter  for  integrity  and  ai)ility. 

Samuel  Canfield  inherited  many  of  the 
prominent  traits  of  his  father,  Nathan  Can- 
.Meld,  and  from  18l'0  to  18-K»,  the  time  of  his 
death,  was  the  leading  nuui  of  Arlington, 
and  during  the  most  of  tiiat  time  was  sheriff 
or  deputy  sheriff  of  the  county  of  I'enning- 
wealth  and  started  for  Canada,  and  died  on  j  ton,  an  office  of  ])n)minence  and  distinction 
llis  way  on  Lake  Cliam|)lain,  November  '2,  ]  in  those  days.  He  became  one  of  the  most 
177",  and  was  i)Ui-ie(l  at  ••  (,»uaker  Smith's"'  i  popular  men  in  that  portion  of  the  State, 
point  on  the  shores  of  the  lake  in  Sheliiurne,  I  practically  controlling  the  politics  of  the 
Vermont.  It  was  a  sad  day  to  Arlington  j  county.  He  was  a  man  of  fine  statui'c, 
when  Jehiel  Hawley  left  the  settlement,  I  cheerful  and  jiersuasive  manners,  a  good 
mainlyof  his  own  planting,  to  seek  safety  in  I  judge  of  men,  upright,   reliable,   energetic. 


the 
frieil 
at  tl 
latn| 

wifti 

dan, 

menl 

her 

pns 

nei- 

abil 

acki 

she 

le.iv 

Th. 


i 


"n 


r/fOAf.lS   II.  CAXFIEI.n. 


fe   of  this  tnilv 
11  it  may  be  saiil 
fault.     Tiio  liu,. 
<»n.   Ciiiirles    K 
ranficltl.    "tli;!! 
liiwlt;;   was  til.' 
ennont." 
<l  at   Arlington 
le  leading  bn.si- 
chant,  landlord. 
II  x'eprosentativr 
ite.     He  ijndt  ,1 
)r  smeltiny  iron 
,^anized  the  first 
:he  preliniinarv 
nvention  of  the 
li   in    A'erniont 
The   house  he 
it  JSainuel  ("an- 
iiwlev  Cantleltl. 

^erv  diHicult  to 
lid  dangers  ol 
1  tl'e  fact  that 
ey  and  Nathan 
rough  them  all. 
he  whole  eom- 
business  to  the 
nonstrates  that 
judgment  and 
lordinarvchar- 

many  of  the 
,  IS'athan  Can- 
he  time  of  his 
of  Arlington, 
me  was  sheritf 
V  of  I'enninij- 
nd  distinction 
e  of  the  most 
of  the  State, 
ulitics   of   the 

fine  statui'e, 
ners,  a  good 
)lo,   energetic. 


the  soul  ol'  honor,  and  true  as  steel  to  liis 
friends.  He  «lied  8epteudter  2S»,  1S40,  being 
at  that  time  representativi'-elect  to  the  legis- 
lature of  \'eruioiit  tVoiu  .Vrlington.  His 
wife,  Mary  .Vnn  Ilaulev.  great-grand- 
daugiitcr  of  ("apt.  .leliiel  Ilawley,  al)ove 
mentioued.  possessed  uuiuy  of  the  traits  of 
her  ancestor.;.  A  lady  of  commanding 
presence,  attractive  features,  charming  man- 
nei's  ami  l»riglit  intellect,  of  rare  e.\ecutiv<; 
ability,  universally  respected  and  the 
aclvuowledged  lea<ler  in  every  society  where 
she  was  known.  She  died  .luly  22,  1S2.'>, 
leaving  her  only  son,  at  three  years  of  age, 
Thomas  Ilawley  Canlield. 

Such  were  his  ancestors  and  such  the  try- 
ing times  in  which  they  lived. 

THOMAS  HAWl.EY  CANFIELD. 

whose  name  heads  our  present  article,  was 
brought  up  on  a  farm,  i-ising  early  and  work- 
ing from  nu:)rning  to  night  with  the  men, 
taking  his  shan^  in  every  kind  of  work  until 
he  l)ccanie  familiar  with  all  the  details  ()f 
farm  woi'k,  which,  with  the  haliits  of  order, 
economy  ami  luanageuu-nt  then  formed, 
have  been  of  great  service  to  him  in  after 
years.  His  earlv  education  was  obtained 
mostly  in  the  common  scIkjoIs  of  hi.s  native 
town,  although  he  soon  evinced  a  strong 
desire  for  something  more  advanced  than 
they  all'oi'ded.  .\ccordingly.  he  was  placed 
l)y  his  fatliei-  at  I'.urr  ScmiuaiT.  in  Man- 
chester. \'ei'uu»ut,  at  its  o])eninm  ''*  -^lay, 
IXot],  under  those  ai»le  prolessois,  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Lyman  (olenwin,  the  licv.  Dr.  John  H. 
AVorcester.  ,lolin  Aiken,  Esij..  and  Win.  A. 
I'liridiam..  wiiei'e  he  remainetl  imtil  he  was 
lifted  for  college  at  the  age  of  fourteen. 
Not  withstanding  the  standard  of  this  semi- 
nary was  very  higli,  and  he  the  youngest 
pupil  among  l.">0,  all  much  older  than  him- 
self, yet  he  acquitted  himself  very  credital)ly, 
taking  the  hiirhest  rank  in  all    his  classes. 


Having  a  decided  taste  for  practical  matters, 
and  not  «lesiring  to  enter  college  at  this  early 
age.  he  returned  home  to  the  work  of  the 
farm  for  two  years,  wiien  he  was  transferred 
to  the  Troy  Episcopal  Institute  with  refei'- 
ence  to  a  scientilic  course  of  study,  which 
had  a  very  efticient  corps  of  instructoi-s, 
among  them  the  present  l'.isho|)  of  Vermont. 
He  was  particularly  fond  of  matl'.;Muatics, 
and  it  was  while  demonstrating  a  dillicult 
problem  at  a  public  examination  in  the  city 
of  Tro\ .  New  York,  that  he,  although  an 
entire  stranger,  arreste«l  the  attention  of  the 
late  Bishop  Alonzo  I'otter,  of  reuusylvania, 
who  was  one  of  the  examiners,  and  then  the 
acting  president  of  Tnion  ('(»llege.  Schenec- 
tady, Xew  York.  The  ju-incipal  of  the  Troy 
Episco|)al  Institute  sul)se(iuently  ])ublished 
an  arithmetic  for  .scho<»ls.  !)ased  mostly  upon 
problems  and  examples  which  he  had  pre- 
pared ami  which  were  worked  outand  solved 
for  him  i)V  voung  ("atdield.  President  Pot- 
ter  became  so  interested  in  the  promptness 
and  accuracy  with  which  he  dis])osed  of 
all  examples  presented  to  him  that  he 
determined  to  insist  upon  the  young  man 
having  a  higher  and  broader  education,  and 
tinally  ])i'evailed  u[)on  him  to  al)andon  his 
idea  of  l)ecoming  a  civil  engineer  and  to 
entt'r  the  junior  class  in  Tnion  College  in  the 
fall  of  ls:JH.  It  was  a  very  trying  oi'deal  for 
him  to  pass  through,  being  by  far  the  young- 
est in  a  class  of  over  eighty,  who  had  had  all 
the  advantages  of  the  freshman  and  s()ph- 
omore  y«'ai's,  but  yet,  through  the  same  iiule- 
fatigable  energy  and  persevt  i-ance  which  had 
characterized  his  conduct  thus  far  in  life  in 
everything  which  he  had  undertaken,  he  was 
(>ne  of  the  "  iiKt.r'ninnn  ti  it  "  who  came  out  at 
the  head  of  the  class.  Soon  after  the  begin- 
niny  of  the  senior  veai*  he  was  summoned 
to  Vermont  by  the  sudden  death  of  his 
father,  and  although  strongly  urged  by  I'l'cs- 
ident  I'otter,  who,  dui-ing  the  junior  yerr, 
had  taken  great  intei'esl  in  him   and  olfered 


10 


THOMAS  H.  CAN  FIELD. 


to  assist  liiiii  to  any  position  he  should  want 
after  gnuhiation,  as  well  as  by  his  own  rel- 
atives, to  return  and  complete  his  college 
course,  he  considered  the  duty  he  owed  to 
his  mother  and  only  sister  paramount  to 
everything  else,  and  again  took  up  the  bur- 
den of  the  farm,  and  thus,  at  the  early  age 
of  eighteen,  lii.s  business  life  began,  which 
has  continued  constant  and  uninterrupted 
to  the  present  day. 

In  addition  to  tlie  cares  and  duties  of  the 
farm,  he  was  active  in  all  public  matters 
having  for  their  ol)ject  the  im[)rovement  and 
well-being  of  societv.  He  organized  a 
lycenm.  established  debating  societies,  and 
procured  ])rominent  lecturei-s  upon  various 
sul)jects  (among  them  Colonel  Crockett), 
which,  during  the  winter  months,  called  out 
crowded  houses.  Al)out  this  time  a  new- 
element  appeared  in  the  tem[)erance  move- 
ment, the  coming  out  on  the  stage  of  "six 
reformeil  drunkards  from  Baltimore."  who 
took  the  platform  throughout  the  country, 
and  were  enabled  by  their  own  experience 
to  portray  more  vividly  than  had  ever  l)een 
done  before  the  terrible  consequences  which 
followed  in  the  trail  of  intemperance.  Mr. 
Cantield  organized  a  series  of  meetings  in 
Arlington  and  adjoining  towns,  and  secured 
one  of  these  men  to  address  them  as  well  as 
himself,  and  soon  had  enrolled  upon  the 
total  al)stinence  pledge  large  numbers,  the 
result  of  which  was  a  great  improvement  in 
the  morals  of  the  community. 

Finding  the  labor  of  the  farm  too  severe 
for  his  slender  constitution,  he  removed,  in 
18-i-i.  to  "NVilliston. Vermont,  where  he  became 
a  merchant,  having  in  the  meantime  mar- 
ried Elizai)eth  A.,  only  daughter  of  Eli  Chit- 
tenden, a  grandson  of  Thomas  Chittenden, 
the  lirst  governor  of  Vermont.  She  died  in 
1848,  and  he  subsequfutly  married  Caroline 
A.,  the  youngest  daughter  of  the  lit.  Rev. 
Bishop  Hopkins,  of  Vermont,  a  charming 
and   accomplished    lady,  who   is  still  livin<f. 


and  by  whom  he  has  two  sons  and  thre<' 
daughters — Emily,  .7ohn  Henry  Hoi)kin>. 
Marion.  Flora  and  Thom.it  H.,  Jr..  all  now 
engaged  in  completing  tlieir  education  in 
Burlington, Vermont,  at  the  Diocesan  Churcii 
Schools  and  the  Univei-sity  of  Vermont. 

REMOVAL  .TO    lUKMNr.TON. 

In  addition  to  the  ordinary  business  ot 
merchandise,  Mr.  Canfield  added  to  it  the  pur- 
chase of  the  products  of  the  country,  buttei-. 
cheese,  wool,  starch,  cattle,  sheep,  horses  and 
everything  which  the  farm  raised,  therebv 
carrying  out  the  idea  of  home  protection 
and  creating  a  home  market  for  their  pro- 
duce. Here  he  built  up  and  carried  on  an 
extensive  Ijusiness  under  very  i)leasant  cir- 
cumstances until  April,  18-17,  when  he 
removed  to  Burlington,  Vermont,  wliere  he 
still  resides,  to  take  the  place  in  the  firm  of 
Follett  &  Bradlev,  the  leadina;  wholesale 
merchants  and  forwarders  in  northern  Ver- 
mont, made  vacant  by  the  withdrawal  of 
Judge  Follett,  who  had  taken  the  presi<lency 
of  the  Rutland  *fe  Burlington  Railroad, 
then  in  couree  of  construction.  Mr.  Canfield 
for  some  time  resisted  this  arrangement, 
believing  himself  too  young  and  inexperi- 
enced for  the  important  position  tenderetl 
him,  but  finally  was  induced  r  j  yield  to  the 
persistent  entreaties  of  Follett  &  Bradley. 
who  had  recognized  in  his  short  business 
career  at  Williston  the  peculiar  traits  in  his 
character  which  fitted  him  particularly  for  the 
responsible  position  which  they  desired  him 
to  occupy.  Thcirofliceand  headquarters  were 
at  the  stone  store  on  AVater  street,  Burling- 
ton, near  the  steamer  wharf  and  railroad 
depot.  As  there  were  no  railroads  in 
Vermont  in  those  days,  all  of  the  pro- 
duce of  every  kind  of  the  farm,  mine  or 
manufactory  came  to  Burlington  for  ship- 
mer.t  to  market,  and  the  goods  for  the  mer- 
chants in  the  country,  from  Boston  and 
New  York,  came  here  in  return.    To  accom- 


T/fOMAS  H.  C AX  FIELD. 


II 


5ons  and  throi- 
enrv  Ho])lvir)>. 
I..  Jr..  all  now 
r  education  in 
)iocesan  Cliiiir!: 
Vermont. 

(".'ION. 

rv  business  of 
ed  toit  thepur- 
ountry,  buttei*. 
leep,  horses  and 
raised,  thereby 
)nie  protection 
t  for  their  pro- 
1  carried  on  an 
ry  i)leasant  cir- 
847,  when  ho 
iiont,  where  he 

in  the  firm  of 
ding  wholesale 

northern  Yer- 
withdrawal  of 
I  the  presidency 
ton  Railroatl. 
1.   Mr.  Canfield 

arrangement, 
and  inexperi- 
>sition  tendered 
!. .)  3'ield  to  the 
!tt  &  Bradley, 
short  business 
ir  traits  in  his 
ticulariyforthe 
ley  desired  him 
idquarters  were 
itreet,  JJurling- 
f  and  railroad 
I  railroads  in 
1  of  the  pro- 
farm,  mine  or 
igton  for  ship- 
Is  for  the  mer- 
w  Boston  and 
rn.    To  accom- 


modate and  facilitate  this  business,  Bradley 
&  Cantiuld  had  extensive  wharves  and  ware- 
houses, as  wt'll  as  a  line  of  l>oats  to  Xew 
York  and  Boston  for  the  transportation  of 
this  property  both  ways,  their  wharves 
also  being  the  regular  landing  filace  of  the 
passenger  steamers  and  other  vessels,  result- 
ing in  an  extensive  liusiness,  i-eqniring  not 
only  much  cai)ital,  i)ut  also  great  care  and 
ability  to  manage  this  part  of  it,  which 
devolved  principally  upon  Mr.  Canfield. 
About  this  time,  Professor  Morse  having 
brought  his  telegraph  into  jjractical  opera- 
tion between  the  principal  ci*'es,  i\rr.  Can- 
field,  in  connection  with  I'rofessor  Benedict, 
the  Hon.  Ezra  Cornell,  founder  of  Cornell 
University,  and  Colonel  John  H.  Peck,  got 
up  a  line  between  Montreal  and  Troy,  New 
Tork.  Mr.  Canfield  visited  Vergennes, 
Orwell.  INfidillebury,  Butland  and  many 
other  towns  along  the  line,  getting  stock- 
holders and  organizing  the  company,  and  or. 
the  2d  day  of  February.  1S48,  the  first 
message  passed: 

Ti'om  the  Citji  of  Troy  to  the  Citii  of  nurlimjton  : 

We  (io  sincerely  congriUiilate  you  as  having  l)e- 
Comc,  at  this  early  day.  one  of  those  favored  com- 
miuiities,  united  liy  the  life  l)lood  of  speedy  conimuni- 
cation,  iind  as  sincerely  congratulate  ourselves  on  being 
•ble  to  salute,  face  to  face  the  ([ueen  ciiy  of  Lake 
Chauiplain. 

FIRST    KAII  IMAl)    IN    VKKMONT. 

lUit  the  time  had  come  for  Vermont  to  be 
invaded  by  railmails  from  Boston  :  one  via 
Concord  and  i\[oiitpelier,  and  the  other 
viii  Kitcliburg,  I'ellows  Fnlls  and  Rutland, 
were  being  extended  across  the  Green 
mountains  liy  two  dilferen*^  routes  to  Bur- 
lington. His  firm.  Bradley  »feCanlield.  with 
two  <»r  three  other  uiMitlonien.  wert>  enynoed 
in  building  the  one  froni  Bellows  Falls  by 
the  way  of  Butliiiul.  which  was  completed  in 
Pecemlter.  184i».  At  the  same  time,  in  con- 
nect ioti  with  (iteoroe  W.  .Strono-.  of  Butland. 
and    Meri'itt  Clark,  of   Poultnev,  thev   built 


the  Rutland  *!c  "Washington  Railroad  from 
Rutland  to  Eagle  liridge,  Xew  York,  con- 
necting at  that  point  with  a  railroad  to  Troy 
and  another  to  Albany,  thus  opening  the  first 
line  of  railroad  to  Xew  York  as  well  as  to  Bos- 
ton from  northwestern  A'ermoni.  While  these 
were  in  ])i'ogress  Afessrs.  Bradley  &  Canfield, 
in  connection  with  T.  F.  Strong  and  Joseph 
andSelah  Chamberlin, built  the  Ofjdensburffh 
Railroad  from  Rouse's  Point  to  Ogdensburgh, 
as  well  as  other  railroads  in  Xew  York  and 
Pennsylvania.  ^Iv.  Canfield  was  now  fairly 
enlisted  with  a  fieet  of  boats  in  the  trans- 
j)ortation  business  between  Montreal.  Ver- 
mont and  Xew  York,  as  well  as  in  mercantile 
pursuits  and  in  the  building  of  railroads, 
Avhich  at  that  time  but  few  contractors 
undertook.  In  the  management  of  these 
trreat  interests  Mr.  Canfield  formed  an  exten- 
sive  accpiaintance  and  gained  a  knowledge  of 
the  resources  of  the  country  on  both  sides 
of  Lake  Champlain,  which  gave  him  an 
experience  in  handling  a'id  transporting  the 
products  of  the,  country  that  attracted  the 
attention  of  the  dii-ectors  of  the  liutland  & 
Washinyton  Railroad,  and  c(mimended  him 
as  a  fit  nnm  to  manage  its  affairs,  and  to 
open  and  organize  it  for  business.  As  soon 
as  completed  tliey  selected  him  for  superin- 
tentlent,  which  he  declined.  But  so  many 
of  his  friends  were  interested  in  it,  and  it 
being  a  new  departure  in  the  transportation 
of  western  A'ermont.  he  yielded  to  their 
appeals  and  accepted  the  situation,  retaining 
at  the  same  time  the  management  of  his 
former  business  at  Burlington.  Mr.Canfiehl 
afterward  became  ])resident  of  the  Rutland 
A:  Washington  Railroad,  and  subsecpniitly 
took  a  lease  of  it  and  operated  it  on  his  own 
account,  being  pr()t)ably  the  first  railroad  in 
the  country  ever  leased  by  a  private  indi- 
vidual. It  wiis  while  Air.  Canfield  hiid  this 
lease  tliiit  Jiiy  (ioidd  a])peared  upon  the 
stage,  and  endeavored  at  an  annual  meetii'.g 
of  the    stockholders   by  a  cvx/^^^/Vy^/Mo  get 


I 
I 


12 


TJ/OMAS   n.  CAXriEl.D. 


control  of  tlie  roiid,  but  lie  found  liis  match 
in  Mr.  Canfield,  who  had  anticipated  his 
plans  and  coni|)letely  defeated  theui.  Sui)- 
sequently.  after  ;!ie  teruiination  of  the  lease 
and  surrender  by  Mr.  ("anfield  of  the  road  to 
the  trustees.  ]\[r.  Gould  ac(piire(l  an  interest, 
and  afterward  controlled,  wiiich  laiil  the 
foundation  of  his  subsecjuent  notalde  and 
prosperous  career. 

The  operating  of  railroads  was  then  com- 
paratively iu  its  infancy,  and  there  were  few 
experienced  men  to  be  eni].  oyed.  He  at 
once  instituted  a  ri^id  system  of  disciphne 
and  accountability,  in  wiiich  at  first  he  met 
with  opposition  ;  but  after  a  time  all  became 
impresse(i  .vitli  the  justice  and  importance 
of  it,  and  he  received  the  hearty  co  operation 
of  the  employes  and  directors,  and  thus 
established  an  >'xj>r(t  dc  corpi*  among  all  con- 
nected with  it  which  made  the ''Eagle  Ih'idge 
Route"  celebrated  for  its  pi'()in])tness,  speed 
and  regularity,  its  accomodation  to  the 
traveling  and  business  pul)lic,  and  its  em- 
ployes as  among  the  best  railroad  men  in  the 
country. 

Heretofore  it  re<iuired  two  days  for  the 
mails  as  well  as  i)asseiigf'rs  to  go  lietween 
Ijiirlington  or  Montreal  and  New  York.  ^[r. 
Canfield  first  proposed  to  make  a  day  line 
between  the  cities.  He  went  to  Xew  York 
to  enlist  Governor  ^[organ,  then  jiresident 
of  the  Hudson  Iliver  Uuilroad,  in  the  plan, 
but  lie  was  coldly  received  by  him.  for  the 
reason  that  the  governor  beheved  it  was 
simply  impossible.  Hut  after  several  in- 
terviews the  governor  consented  to  make 
the  trial  for  three  months,  on  condition 
that  Mr.  Cantield  would  guarantee  his 
company  from  any  loss.  It  is  ;{Oii  miles 
from  Xew  York  to  JJui-lington.  and  about 
four  liiuulred  to  Montreal,  which  in\  -Ivedan 
average  speed  of  about  forty  miles  an  hour. 
Accordingly,  on  the  ir)tli  day  of  ]\[ay,  1852, 
at  0  o'chx'k  a.  m.,  a  train  left  tlie  ("hambers' 
street  ilepot  in  Mew  York.  Mr.  Frencli,  super- 


intendent of  the  Hudson  River  Railroad,  Mr 
Johnson,    superintendent   of     the    Troy   A 
Boston  Railroad,  and  Mr.  Canfield  with  t\V( 
or  three  rejiorters,  being  all  that  would  ri^k 
their  lives  upon  such  a  crazy  experiment.    Tin 
tra;  •  arrived  at  JJutland  on  time  at  1:2.')  i'.  m., 
having  made  the  run  from  Eagle  Bridge,  sixty- 
two  miles,  in  eightv-tive  minutes,  making  livi 
stops.witli  Nat.  Gooken,  engineer,  and  Aum- 
Story.  conductor.      liurlington  was  reaclicil 
at  ;]:2o  1'.  M..  and   A[ontreal  at  7  i*.  m.     But 
for  the  fact  that  it  had  on   board  the  New 
York  papers  of  that  morning  it  would  have 
been   im])ossil)le  to  have    made   the  ])ublii 
believe  that   it    came    from   beyond    Troy 
Thus  was  settled  a  (piestion  of  great  impoi 
tance,  the  establisiiing  of  a  dailv  intercourse 
between   ]\[ontreal    and    New    York,   sincf 
which  time  two  daily  trains  have  been  kept 
u[)  most  of  the  time. 

Burlington,  previous  to  the  advent  of  rail- 
roads, had  been  the  commercial  center  of 
northern  Vermont,  and  had  been  liuilt  up 
from  the  trade  arising  from  its  being  tlif 
point  of  shipment  to  the  New  York  and  Bos 
ton  markets  of  the  produce  of  the  country, 
and  the  receipt  and  distribution  of  merchan- 
dise in  return.  Large  numbers  of  eight  anil 
ten-horse  teams  from  Woodstock.  Northlield. 
Bradford,  St.  Johnsliury,  Hyde  Baric,  Derby 
Line,  Montpelier  and  other  places,  with  their 
loads  of  starch,  butter,  cheese,  wool,  scales 
and  manufactured  goods,  kept  up  a  lively 
business  with  the  interior,  bringing  to  Bur 
lington  much  money  to  be  exchanged  for 
Hour,  salt,  iron,  steel,  nails  and  other  mei- 
chandise.  In  addition  to  this  the  lines  ot 
boats  running  to  Troy,  Alban}',  New  York, 
Montreal,  and  all  points  on  the  lake,  created 
an  active  and  prosj)erous  business  for  Bur 
lington,  and  it  became  a  very  thriving  and 
beautiful  town. 

AV^lien  the  (piestion  came  up  of  connectini; 
by  railroad  Boston  and  Burlington,  two 
routes   wei-e   proposed,   one   via  ^Montjieliei' 


']  IIOMAS   II.  C A  K  I- 1  ELD. 


13 


vor  Railroad.  Mi 
if  tlie  Troy  A 
anfield  witli  tw. 
1  tliiit  would  risk 
xperinient.  Tin 
imeat  l:2r>  i>.  m., 
<>:lel>rid<;'0,  sixty, 
iites.  making  li\  I 
ineer.  and  Anins 
ton  WHS  reaolicil 

at  7  I'.  M.  ]!iit 
board  the  New 
tj  it  would  have 
nade  tlio  jmblii 
I  beyond  Trov 
of  great  impoi- 
daily  intei-coui'sc 
3\v    York,   sinco 

have  been  ke](i 

e  advent  of  rail- 
lercial  center  nt 
d  been  built  u|i 
ni  its  being  tln' 
w  York  and  Bos 
!  of  the  country, 
tion  of  nierchaii- 
lers  of  eight  and 
itock,  North  field, 
^'de  Parle,  Derlty 
)laces,  with  their 
;se,  wool,  scales 
?pt  up  a  lively 
ringing  to  V>\\\ 
\  cxciianged  foi' 
and  other  niei- 
his  the  lines  of 
any,  New  York, 
the  lake,  created 
•usiness  for  ]>ur 
I'V  thrivinf'  and 

ip  of  connectiui; 

Turlington,   two 

via  ]\rontpeliei' 


and  Concord,  and  tin'  other  via  llntland  and 
Fitcliburg.  There  was  niucii  ditference  of 
opinion  among  the  citizens  which  would  be 
most  for  the  interest  of  Burlington,  or  in 
other  words,  which  would  injure  it  the  least. 
or  least  interfere  with  its  already  prtjsperous 
business.  I'uijiic  meetings  were  lieUl,  much 
excitement  and  feeling  prevailed  ;  one  party, 
headed  by  the  old  established  house  of  J.  A: 
J.  11.  Beck  A:  Co.,  advocating  the  Vermont 
Central  route  via  Alontpelier,  of  which  (Gov- 
ernor Charles  Baine  became  president,  and 
the  other  p.  tty,  represented  by  I'.radlev  tV' 
Canlield.  urging  the  Butia  id  line,  (jf  which 
Judge  Follett  i)ecauu^  president,  who  nuiin- 
tained  that  as  Burlington  had  always  derived 
its  business  more  or  less  from  eastern 
and  northeastern  Vermont,  and  parts  of 
Kew  Hampshire  ailjacent,  that  a  railroad 
from  Boston,  ))enetrating  these  sections, 
woidd  divert  the  trade  direct  to  Boston,  and 
therein'  injure  B.urlington  correspondingly; 
while  from  the  .south  Burlington  had  never 
hail  any  trade,  the  connection  with  nuirket 
from  that  portion  of  Vermont  being  nuule 
directly  with  the  different  .shipi)ing  ports  <m 
the  lake,  ami  hence  it  was  evident  that  while 
Burlington  had  nothing  to  lose,  but  every 
thin<;'  to  "ain  bv  oijenin";  a  trade  with  the 
towns  of  western  aiul  southern  A'erniont.  at 
the  s,ame  time  the  line  to  liostim  would  be 
shorter  than  ])y  ]SIontpelier.  and,  besides,  a 
Connection  could  be  nuule  at  Rutland  with 
railroads  to  Troy  and  Albany,  and  thus  have 
a  direct  rail  communication  with  New  Voik 
anil  the  AVest  in  the  winter  as  well  as  in  the 
aummer.  The  result  of  this  controversy  was 
the  buikling  of  both  lines,  which  wasgreatly 
accelerated  by  the  powerful  aid  and  influ- 
ence contributed  l»y  the  two  contending 
parties,  ami  on  the  ISth  of  December.  1849, 
the  first  train  from  Boston  via  Rutland  came 
int(j  Ihirlington.  and  on  the  2r)th  day  of  the 
same  month  the  lirst  train  via  ^[ontpelier 
arrrived  at  Wiuuoski,  the  bridge  over  the 


river  at  that  place  not  being  finished  to 
admit  it  to  Burlington.  With  the  advent  of 
the  Vermont  Central  train  the  fine  ten-hor.se 
teams  of  Governor  Baine  and  others  cea.sed 
tl.i'ir  trips  forever  to  Burlington,  and  the 
elegant  and  celebrated  six-horse  teams  and 
coaclies  of  Cottrell  and  Shattuck,  of  Mont- 
pelier,  took  their  departure  for  the  last  time, 
as  had  l)efore  much  (jf  the  business  from  that 
part  of  the  State ;  and  the  prostration  and 
decline  of  Burlington  began,  and  stagnation 
in  l)usiness  reigned  supreme,  as  Bradley  A: 
Canfield  had  nuiintained  would  be  the  case 
if  the  Vermont  Central  line  was  built. 

Originally,  to  counteract  the  injury  t(j  a 
certain  extent  which  miyht  aiise  to  Burlino- 
ton  from  a  <liversion  of  its  business  by  the 
Central  line,  it  was  contended  by  its  friends 
that,  its  terminus  being  in  IJurlington  with 
its  shops,  offices,  etc.,  new  business  would  be 
create<l  tooH'set  in  part  the  loss  of  the  ohl. 
It  was  also  understood  that  an  iiulependent 
railroad  should  be  built  from  Burlinnton 
north  to  Canada  to  accommodate  both  tiie 
Boston  lines,  which  were  to  make  their 
termini  in  Burlington.  But  the  excitement 
ran  so  high  during  the  building  that  Gov- 
ernor Paine,  after  becoming  sure  that  his  line 
wouhl  be  built.  <i:ave  up  cominy  to  Ihirlinff- 
ton,  and  arranged,  with  theaid  <jf  John  Smith 
and  Lawrence  Brainerd.  of  St.  AlbaiLs, 
aiul  .losei)h  Clark,  of  Afilton,  three  of  the 
shrewdest  aiul  most  capable  business  men 
ever  raised  in  Vernu^nt,  to  make  a  line  north 
from  Essex  Junction,  thus  practically  extend- 
ing the  main  line  of  tlie  Central  to  Rouse's 
Point,  leaving  Burlington  at  one  .side  to  be 
reached  by  a  branch  of  six  miles  This 
move  gave  the  fina  blow  to  Ijurlington,  and 
left  the  Rutland  Railroad  without  any  rail 
connection  north,  and  forced  it  to  make  its 
connections  with  the  Ogdensburgh  and 
Cluunplaiu  and  St.  Lawrence  Railroads  to 
.Montreal,  at  Rouse's  Point  by  boat.  To 
meet  this  emergency,  as  the   Rutland  Rail- 


• 


J 


^i'L^»J>PJJW_i«IJJ!JWWBBBW 


14 


THOMAS  If.  CAXFIl-.I.D. 


road  Company  liad  not  the  right  by  its 
charter  to  build  boats,  Bradley  *k  C'anfield 
came  to  the  rescue,  and  within  ninety  days, 
early  in  the  spring  of  1850,  constructed  four 
barges  of  the  capacity  of  3.000  barrels  of 
flour  each,  and  the  steamer  "Boston"  to  tow 
them  between  Burlington  and  liouse's  Point; 
and  this  enabled  the  Kutland  hne  to  compete 
successfully  for  the  western  business  with  the 
X'ermont  Central. 

FIKST   CAKOO   <»K    KLOIK    BY    THE 
ST.    LAWKKXCK    KOITK. 

Previous  to  this,  as  early  as  1847.  ^[r. 
Canlield  felt  that  a  change  in  tlie  character 
of  the  business  at  Burlingt(m  was  inevitable 
so  soon  as  the  railroads  should  be  omj  leted, 
and  to  supply  what  would  l)e  destroyed  new 
branches  would  have  to  be  built  up.  All 
the  flour  and  salt  heretofore,  for  northern 
Vermont  and  New  Yoi'k.  came  from  Troy 
and  Albany  by  canal  via  "Whitehall,  while 
that  for  the  rest  of  Xew  England,  after  jkiss- 
ing  through  the  Erie  canal,  found  its  way 
to  Boston  and  other  ports  either  by  water, 
by  way  of  Xew  York,  or  by  the  Boston  tfc 
Albany  Railroad  to  the  inland  towns.  He 
thus  early  took  the  ground  that,  with  the 
new  ])roposed  lines  of  railroads  comi)leteu 
between  the  Atlantic  and  lliver  St.  Lawrence, 
a  new  route  would  have  to  be  opened  by  that 
way  antl  the  upper  lakes  to  the  wheat 
regions  of  the  West.  ['i)on  consultation 
with  leading  forwarders  at  Troy  and 
Albany,  a  movement  of  this  kind,  he 
found,  would  incur  the  hostility  of  X'ew 
York  and  all  parties  interested  in  the 
navigation  of  the  Erie  canal,  which  at 
that  time  was  the  main  channel  of  trans- 
portation between  the  lakes  and  Hudson 
river.  But  !Mr.  Canlield.  nothing  daunted 
by  such  intimations,  went  in  the  spring  of 
184S  to  Montreal,  and  laid  his  views  and 
plans  for  a  northern  route  before  Messrs. 
Holmes,  Young  k,  Knapp,  the  most  promi- 
nent merchants  in  Canada,  and  who  carried 


on   an    extensive   business   with   Clevelaii<: 
Detroit    and   Chicago   in   wheat,  flour  aiii 
]»ork.     They   concurred   with    him    in    ili 
desirability,  but  not  the  practicability  of  tii. 
scheme.     From   thence  he  went  up  the  Si 
Lawrence   river,  stopping  at   Ogdensbur<:i; 
Kingston,  Sackett's  Harbor,  Oswego,  KocL 
ester  and   Buffalo,  to  Cleveland.     Here   h' 
met   Messrs.  A.  H.  k,  D.  N.  Barney,  win 
were  engaged    in   boating  on   the   westcii, 
lakes,  and  who  have  since  become  so  prom 
nent  in  the  railroad  and  express  business  ii 
New  York  Citv,  and  engaged  them  to  semi 
a  vessel  with  a   load  of   flour  to   ALontreal 
which  he   purchased   on   his  own  account 
This  vessel,  although  passing  the  locks  in  tlii 
Welland  and  St.  Lawrence  canals  to  Moii 
treal,  was   too  large   to   pass   those  of   tin 
Chambly  into   Lake   Champlain,  and  henri 
^\\\  CanHeld    had   to    unload    the   flour  iit 
Montreal,  and  after  much   trouble  with  tin 
custom-house  officers  transferred  it  by  ferry- 
boat to  La  Praii'ie.  nine   miles  above   3ioii 
treal,  on  the  opposite  side  of   the  St.  Law- 
rence, thence  l)v    rail   to  St.   Johns,  at   \\w 
foot    of     Lake    Champlain,   and    then    bv 
steamer  to  Burlington.     This  was  the  fir^t 
cargo  of  flour  ever  sent  from  Lake  Erie  tn 
Lake  Champlain  via  Welland  canal  and  St. 
Lawrence    river,   and    tlie    entering-wedgi' 
which  Mr.  CanHeld  then  believed,  and  still 
believes,  to  a  great   water  communicatioi) 
fj'om  the  west  end  of  Lake  Superior  to  Laki' 
Champlain,  l)y  which  steam  vessels  of  much 
larger  size  than  any  now  on  the  lakes,  will 
make   the    whole   passage    without    break- 
ing   bulk,   and    ultinu\tely   going    through 
to     New     York     by    the     conversion     of 
the    Champlain    canal    between    Whitehall 
and  Troy  into  a  ship  canal.     Although  it 
was  an  exj)ensive  experiment,  yet  it  showed 
that  there  was  another  route  than  that  b\'  tlu- 
Erie  canal,  which  was  sooner  or  later  to  be 
developed  into  an  important  one.     The  next 
season  Bradley  »fe  Canfield,  in  order  to  more 


TIWAfAS  II.  CAX FIELD. 


15 


witli   Clevelaii, 
wheat,  flour  iiin 
I'ith    liim    in    tli 
acticability  of  th. 
;  went  uj)  the  St 
at  Ogdensbur^L 
r,  Oswego,  l{o(l: 
^•eland.     Here   li. 
^'.  13arnev,  win 
on   tlie   westcn 
become  so  prom 
xpress  business  ii 
^'ed  them  to  seiin 
our  to   Montreal 
lis  own  account 
g  tlie  hides  in  tli. 
i  canals  to  Mom 
iss   those  of   tin 
phiin,  and  lieno 
)Ji<l    tlie   flour  at 
trouble  with  tin 
erred  it  by  ferry- 
liles  above  Moii 
of   the  St.  Law. 
it.   Johns,  at  tlif 
1,   and    then    bv 
his  was  the  first 
om  Lake  Erie  tn 
id  canal  and  ISt. 
entering-wedgf 
elieved,  and  still 
communicatioti 
Superior  to  Laki' 
vessels  of  much 
1  the  lakes,  will 
without    break- 
going    through 
conversion     ot 
iveen    Whitehall 
il.     Although  it 
t,  yet  it  showed 
than  that  by  the 
ir  or  later  to  be 
one.     The  next 
n  order  to  mon- 


fully  demonstrate  the  ])racticability  of  their 
new  route,  chartered  the  steam  propeller 
"Earl  of  Cathcart"  to  rim  between  Detroit 
and  Montreal,  agreeing  to  fui'nish  at  Detroit 
l,50u  bari'ils  of  Hour  every  two  weeks,  at  a 
.fixed  rate  of  freight,  to  be  paid  whether  the 
flour  was  shipped  or  not;  and  toena!)lethem  to 
comi)ly  with  this  contract  they  jmrchased  a 
large  flouring  niillat  Battle  Creek.  Michigan, 
to  manufacture  the  flour,  and  stationetl 
Eli  Chittenden  at  Detroit  to  attend  to  me 
shipments,  and  thus  opened  a  regular  trade 
via  Montreal  to  lUirlington  the  whole  season. 

FIRST     LINK     OF     I'ROI'KI.I.KKS     KKOM    TIIK    llTKIi 
I.AKKS    TO    (H.DKNSIU'Kfai. 

Meanwhile  the  Ogdensburgh  Railroad  was 
completed,  and  Mr.  Canfleld,  still  determined 
to  carry  out  his  original  plan  of  opening 
a  more  practicable  northern  route  for  much 
of  the  business  between  Xew  England  and  the 
West,  went  to  Oswego  and  Ihiffalo,  and  after 
investigating  more  fully  the  o|>erations  of 
steam  propellers  on  the  lakes  and  Welland 
canal,  made  a  contract  witli  E.  C.  i'ancroft, 
of  Oswego,  to  liuild  two  propellers  of  full 
size  for  the  Welland  canal  locks,  costinir 
$20,000  each,  and  arranged  with  Chamberlin 
&  Crawford,  at  Cleveland,  to  supply  two 
more,  with  which  to  make  a  regular  line 
from  Detroit  to  Ogdensburgh.  The  Erie 
canal  forwarders,  becoming  alarmed  at  this 
new  departure,  procured  from  the  legislature 
of  New  Vork  a  reduction  of  tolls  on  wheat 
and  flour,  which  interfered  .seriously  with  the 
new  route,  compelling  a  reduction  of  price  of 
freight  to  about  actual  cost.  This  reduction 
was  unnecessary,  as  it  did  not  alter  the  pro- 
duction, and  Ml'.  Canlield  contended  thiit 
tlie  increasetl  production  of  grain  in  the 
new-(l(»\eloped  Western  States  would  keep 
pace  with  all  the  increased  facilities  of 
transportation,  which  has  since  proved  to 
be  true,  notwithstanding  there  are  now 
eight  through  lines  of  railroad,  as  well  as 
the    Erie   canal    and    various    water     lines 


on  the  St.  Lawrence  river.  Very  few  |>eo- 
l)le  at  that  day  could  be  induced  to  concur  in 
Mr.t.'anfield's  views  of  the  future  development 
of  the  great  Northwest,  and  in  looking  back 
now  it  is  as  ditticult  to  realize  win'  they 
could  not.  Hut  for  the  broad  views  and 
almost  ])ropli»'tic  ideas  of  a  few  such  men, 
backed  u|>  by  tremendous  energy  anil  perse- 
verance, the  great  internal  improvements  of 
this  country  might  yet  be  comparatively  in 
their  infancy. 

The  next  season,  1S50,  opened  with  the 
line  of  propellers  i)etween  Ogdensburgh  and 
Detroit.  J'ut  the  fates  were  against  them. 
One  of  the  new  ones  with  a  large  cargo  ran 
onto  a  rock  in  the  upper  St.  Lawrence  and 
sank  on  the  first  trip,  and  another  was 
wrecked  on  her  second  v(tyage,  entailing  a 
very  heavy  loss  uj)on  I'radley  *fe  Canfield. 
Others  were  immediately  procured  to  take 
their  places,  and  the  line  was  kept  up,  so  that 
it  was  demonstrated  at  the  end  of  the  season 
that  with  proper  vessels  a  regular  line  could 
be  supjiorted.  the  result  of  which  was  the 
establishment  of  the  Northern  Transportfi- 
tion  Line  from  Ogdensburgh  to  Detroit  and 
Chicago,  consisting  of  a  fleet  of  ten  or  fifteen 
])ropellers,  which  forever  settled  the  prac- 
ticability of  the  Northern  route,  so  that  at 
the  i)resent  day  nearly  all  the  business 
between  northern  New  England  and  the 
West  is  done  that  way,  either  by  i-ail  or 
water.  During  the  four  or  five  years  of  its 
inauguration  Mr.  Canfield  was  the  main 
advocate  and  promoter  of  it,  and  it  was 
through  his  persistent  efforts  and  repeated 
journeys  between  Burlington  and  the  various 
ports  on  the  St.  Lawrence  and  upper  lakes, 
and  after  various  trials  and  exi)erimentsand 
great  loss  of  time  and  money,  that  he  saw 
his  plans  succeeil  and  the  route  thoroughly 
o}>ened  and  maintained. 

cAroiix.\WA(;A  snii"  c  axai.. 
Kut  there  were  some  obstacles  which  he  still 
encountered  and   especially    the   delay   and 


il 


t; 


ii 


1 6 


T/WMAS  II,  CAXFIEl.D. 


(iaiiiiin^e  iiicidftiit  to  tmnsliipincnt  at  <lifrer('nt 
points,  which  led  liiin  t(jconsi(lor  tho  phm  of  a 
continuous  water  route  witiiout  transiiip- 
ment  from  the up|)ei' lakes,  involving  tiie  con- 
struction of  a  ship  canal  from  ('au<^hnawaga, 
above  the  Lachine  Kapitis.  in  the  St.  Lawience 
river,  to  Lake  Chum  plain.  He  had  frequent 
interviews  in  Montreal  with  the  lion.  John 
Young. Hen jamin  Holmes.  Harrison  Stephens, 
Peter  McGill,  Messi-s.  Holton  ife  ^fcPherson. 
forwarders,  all  of  whom  were  men  of  broad 
views  and  extended  knowledge  of  the 
resources  of  the  vast  AVest  on  both  sides  of 
the  line.  Air.  Young  had  alreadv  agitated 
the  subject  in  Canada,  and  there  was  no  man 
in  the  St.ites  or  Dominion  who  was  better 
informed  upon  the  subject,  or  who  couhl 
present  it  in  a  more  convincing  and  magnetic 
manner.  Mr.  Canlield  arranged  a  series  of 
meetings  to  i)ring  the  scheme  l)efoi'e  tliei)ui)- 
lic.  One  was  held  in  Burlington.  August  14, 
1849,  which  wjis  addi'esse<l  by  All'.  Young, 
Judge  Fullett  and  Charles  Adams,  Esij.,  of 
I'urlington,  the  hitler  gentleman  enteringinto 
it  very  enthusiastically  as  well  as  intelli- 
gent! v.  Another  was  held  at  Saratoga, 
August  L'l,  over  which  General  John  E. 
Wool  presided,  which  was  also  addressed  by 
Mr.  Young,  Mr.  Adams.  Chancellor  AVal- 
worth  and  many  other  ])roininent  men  from 
Montreal,  Troy.  Albany,  AVhitehall  and  other 
cities.  A  committee  was  appointed,  consist- 
ing of  prominent  citizens  in  the  States  and 
Canada,  to  devise  measures  to  carry  on  the 
enterprise.  A  survey  was  made,  and  it 
looked  as  though  the  ])roject  might  be 
accom])lished.  But  when  tiie  matter  came 
up  in  the  Parliament  of  Canada  fora  charter 
an  unex]»ected  resistance  arose  from  Mon- 
treal, and  although  the  charter  wns  finally 
granted,  there  were  so  many  impracticai»le 
conditions  attached  to  it,  that  Mi-.  Young  and 
his  friends  did  not  deem  it  wise  to  proceed 
under  its  provisions. 

The  fact  that  the  large  lumber  trade  with 


Canada  and  Michigan  has  grown  up  since  w 
Iiurlington.  even  with  the  much  inferior  iiimi 
more  distant  connection  by  the  way  of  tli> 
Chand>ly  Canal,  demonstrates  the  necessin 
of  a  canid  of  much  larger  dimensions,  ain. 
had  the  original  plan  of  Mr.  CanHeld  and  Mr 
Young  l)een  carried  out,  IJurlington  woiiK 
lonjr  since  have  become  the  distributiiii: 
jioint  for  the  Hour  and  grain  of  the  AV('>i 
as  well  as  lumber  for  nearly  all  of  New  Env 
land  ;  the  large  sti^amers  leaving  Dulutii  aiin 
Chicago  would  have  discharged  their cargoi- 
on  the  docks  at  Iiurlington  without  breakiin 
bulk,  thereby  creating  a  business  whirl 
would  have  added  greatly  to  its  |)opulati(ii. 
and  prosperity,  and  made  it  one  of  the  most 
important  cities  of  Xew  England.  All 
Canlield  still  believes  that  this  canal  will 
sooner  or  later,  be  built;  that  the  necessitii> 
of  trade  and  commerce  will  demand  it,  ami 
tiiat  nothing  would  conduce  so  much  to  tin 
growth  and  advancement  of  Purlington  ;i> 
the  construction  of  the  Caughnawaga  Shii 
Canal. 

INCEITION    OF   TMK    NoliTirKKN    rACIKIC. 

AVhile  Air.  Canfiehl  was  thus  engaged  in 
these  various  enterprises  he  formed  the  at 
(juaintance  of  Air.  Edwin  1\  Johnson,  tlnn 
perhaps  the  most  experienced  railroad  en^i 
neerin  America,  who  spent  much  of  bistinif 
at  Iiurlington  in  the  stone  store  of  IJradlcv 
tfe  Canlield.  Air.  Johnson,  having  been  pni 
jector  of  the  Erie  Railroad  in  1880  from 
Xew  York  to  the  lakes,  as  well  as  haviiii; 
been  engagetl  in  the  construction  of  the  Erif 
canal,  had  given  much  thought,  and  col 
Iccteil  from  army  officers,  trappers  ami 
tiaders  much  information  relative  to  the  belt 
<jf  country  between  the  great  lakes  and  tlif 
Pacific  ocean,  and  had  bectmie  so  thoroughlv 
imi)ressed  with  the  importance  of  a  railroiul 
to  the  Pacific  coast  that  he  was  constantly 
talking  with  Air.  Canlield  upon  the  ])rojeii 
to     induce    him    to  take  hold    of    it.     Air. 


■J// DMAS  II.  CAXIlEl.n. 


17 


rown  up  sincf  ;i' 
lueli  inferior  iiiui 
the  way  of  tin 
tes  the  necessity 
dimensions,  ami 
CanfieKl  and  Mr 
turlinj^ton  wonK, 
the  (hstributiiii; 
ain  of  the  A^^■^' 
•  all  of  New  Y.w^- 
Lvins;  Dnluth  am; 
rged  their  cargi  11- 
without  break!  11:; 

business  whici 
to  its  ])opulati<ii, 
;  one  of  the  niosi 

England.  Mr 
t,  this  canal  will 
at  the  necessitii> 
.  demand  it,  ami 
e  so  much  to  tin 
[)f  Turlington  ii« 
.ughnawaga  Sliii 


MKUN    rACIKIC. 

thus  engaged   in 
e  formed  the  at 
r.  Johnson,  tlu'ii 
!ed  railroad  enj:i 
,  much  of  his  tiiiii' 
store  of  Bradley 
having  been  pii' 
ad  in  1830   from 
s  well  as  haviiii; 
uction  of  the  Erie 
tliouglit,  and  col 
rs,    traj)pers    ami 
relative  to  the  btlt 
eat  lakes  and  tlif 
mie  so  thoroughly 
ance  of  a  railroad 
lie  was  constantly 
upon  the  ])rojeii 
hold    of    it.     Mr. 


Oanfieid.wiio  was  then  about  thirty  yeai*sold, 
beoanie  so  mucli  convinced  ity  Mr.  Johnson's 
arguments,  as  well  as  liy  liis  own  study  of 
the  ccmntry.  of  tiic  priicticability  of  a  rail- 
road across  tlie  continent,  that  he  resolved 
to  njiikc  it  tiic  biisJJU'ss  of  his  life  and  devote 
his  eiH'i'gics  and  laleiits  to  tiic  acconiplisli- 
ment  of  it.  believing  lie  could  in  no  way  bes 
so  instrmiieiilal  in  promoting  the  happiness 
and  welfare  of  his  fellow-men  as  in  opening 
to  sett  lemctit  that  iiiiniense  tract  of  fertile 
land  ill  liie  .Northwest,  and  which  would 
furnisli  homes  for  millions  of  tlie  poor  and 
down-trodden  of  all  nations. 

The  first  active  step  toward  it  was  the 
taking  of  a  contract  in  18r>2,  by  himself  and 
partners,  to  build  the  Chicago,  St.  J'aul  i.V 
Fond  du  Lac  Railroad,  now  known  as  the 
Chicago  tfc  Northwestern  Kailroad,  from 
Chicago  to  St.  Paul,  ^[innesota,  and  Fond 
du  Lac.  Wisconsin.  Mr.  Edwin  F.  Johnson 
was  made  chief  engineer.  At  this  time  thei'e 
was  no  railroad  into  Chicago  fnjm  the  East, 
and  the  matei'ials  an<l  sup|)lies  were  trans- 
ported from  liiitl'alo  by  l»oat  through  the 
lakes  and  straits  of  ^fackinac  to  Chicago. 
Robert  J.  Walker,  secretary  of  tin-  treas- 
ury of  tlie  United  States.  N.  W  Tall- 
ittadge.  ex-Uiiiled  States  senator  from  New 
York,  and  other  j)roiiiinent  men  were  the 
illrectois  of  the  company.  It  was  while 
Jlr.  Johnson  was  thus  engaged  on  tiiis  road 
that  lie  used  to  have  long  talks  with  ^fr. 
Canfieltl  about  a  line  of  railroad  to  the 
J^cilic  ocean  from  St.  I'aiil.  and  wrote  an 
^Xlniiistive  treatise  upon  Facilic  railroads, 
showing  that  the  northern  via  the  .Missouri. 
Yellowstone  and  Columbia  i-ivers  was  the 
Most  feasible  route,  as  well  as  passing  through 
the  most  productive  count I'v.  This  made  a 
volume  of  15ii  ]»ages,  with  an  extended  map, 
which  Mr.  Canlieldand  his  partner  published 
at  their  (jwii  expense,  upon  which  was  traced 
the  i.sotlierinal  line,  showing  tiiat  the  climate 
became  milder  from    Minnesota   to   Puget 


St)und,  until  a  mean  temperature  tln're  was 
warmer  than  Chesapeake  I'ay. 

OKU. IN    OK   Till.    TIIUKK    I'ACIKIC    KAII.Ko.M) 
KXl'KIUTIONS. 

The  lion.    Jetfei-son    Davis  at    this    time 
was    Secretary     of     war,     and     with     the 
prominent    leaders  of   the  South  was    very 
desirous  ♦(>   extend    Southern  territory,  and 
douittless  ha<l  in  mind    at  some  future  time 
the  acMpiisiticm   of   Mexico.     Hearing    fi'oni 
his    associate     in     the    caltinet,    the   lion. 
Itcjbert  J.  Walker,  that  Mr.  Johnson  had  in 
mannscrijtt  the  aiiove-inentioned  volume,  he 
came  to  New  York  and  souelit  an   introduc- 
ti(m  to  him,  whom  he  knew  to  bean  evgineer 
of  extensive   knowledge  and  that  whatever 
he     had     Avrilten    was     reliable    and     im- 
portant.    At  his  re(|uest  Mr.  Johnson  loaned 
him  the  manuscript  for  a  few  days,  and  after 
reading  it.   and   seeing    the     conclusion   to 
which  Mr.    J(»hnson     had    come,    that    the 
northern    route    was   the  most  feasible,  not 
only  with  respect   to  its  topographical  feat- 
ures, soil,  climate  and  minei'al  resources,  but 
also  of  great  importance,  being  so  near  to 
the  British  line  in  the  military  and  commer- 
cial iKiint  of  view,  he  came  on  to  New  York 
to  return  the  manuscript  and  see  ^Ir.  John- 
son again.     Inasmuch  as  this  came  in  con- 
flict   with    Mr.    Davis'  cherished    plans,   he 
endeavored  to  convince  ]\Ir.  lolinson  that  he 
must  have  greatly  underrate*!  the  dilHculties 
of  the  northern    n^ute,  the   obstruction   by 
snow,   the   elevation    of  the    main    suniiiiit 
of  the  Iiock\-  mountains,  which  Avas  really 
3.001)  feet  lower  than  those   by  the    Lnioii 
Pacific,  and    that    he  did    not   realize   how 
rajHdly  the  ground  rises  near  the  source  of 
streams ;  while  to  any  practical  engineer  the 
most  feasible  point  for  crossing  the  liocky 
mountains     which    woukl   naturally   strike 
him,    would    ije  at   the    tlivide,   where   the 
waters  of  the  two  livers  to  the  Pacilic  ocean 
anil  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  take  their  rise — the 


"H^" 


I8 


■r//oM.is  II.  r.wruj.n. 


W 


ilississippi  and  Columliia.  Mr.  .lolinsoii  lis- 
tened attentively  to  what  Mr.  I)avis  liad  to 
say  and  replied:  "that  he  had  <;iven  the 
siiliject  luiieh  tlioii<,dit  and  patient  inve.sti<,'a- 
ti(»n,  hut  his  conelusions  were  strictly  loj^ieal 
froni  the  facts,  and  tiiat  he  had  no  (h)ul»t 
of  tiie  full  verilication  of  his  estimates 
by  actual  nieasurenient  hereafter  to  be 
made,'"  which  the  actual  surveys  for  the 
Northern  I'acific  Iiailroa«l  have  since  con- 
tii'nied;  and  if  the  pi'otile  of  the  Northei'n 
Pacillc  of  to-day  be  com  pa  red  with  the  prolile 
accompanying  the  above  manuscri|)t  of  Mr. 
Johnson,  tiie  coincidence  would  be  found 
wonderful. 

Mr.  Davis,  lindinj^  he  could  not  change 
Mr.  Johnson's  views  and  that  ^Ir.  Johnson 
was  going  to  j)ublish  his  manuscript, 
returned  to  AVasliington  and  on  the  8d  of 
March,  1853,  pi'ocured  the  i)assage  of  a 
resolution  by  Congress,  authorizing  him,  the 
Secretary  of  war,  to  make  such  e.\}>Iorations 
as  he  might  deem  advisal)le,  to  ascertain  the 
most  practicable  route  for  a  railntad  from  the 
Mississipj)i  river  to  the  Pacific  ocean.  IJe 
at  once  organized  three  expeditions,  one 
by  the  way  of  the  Southern  route,  one  by 
the  middle  or  Central  route,  and  the  other  by 
the  Northern  route.  lie  placed  in  charge 
of  the  expedition  at  the  eastern  end  of 
the  Xorthern  route.  Major  Isaac  I.  Stevens, 
then  the  secretary  of  the  National  J)emo- 
cratic  Committee,  and  Lieut.  George  J5. 
McClellan  in  charge  of  the  Western  end, 
both  of  whom  were  particular  friends  of  his 
and  whom  he  had  expected  would  probably 
report  unfavorably  to  the  Northern  route. 
In  Lieut.  McClellan  he  realized  his  expecta- 
tions, but  Major  Stevens,  altlujugh  entering 
upon  the  work  with  strong  prejudices 
against  it,  become  a  convert  as  he  jirogressed 
to  the  Northern  route,  and  fully  conlirmed 
all  Mr.  Johnson  had  predicted.  ]\[ajor 
Stevens  became  so  convinced  of  the  superior- 
ity of  this  route  that  lie  got  the  ap[)ointment 


from  I'resident  I'ien-e  of  the  governoisl  w 
of  Washington  Territory,  and  removed  tli<  h 
and  devote<l  most  of  hi>  lite  in  j)resenti(ig  ti 
the  public  thegrt'at  importance  of  this  roiiii' 
and  eidightening  pultlic  opinion  with  resp< v 
to  its  wonderful  resoui'ces.  To  Kdwin  1 
Johnson,  more  than  any  other  man,  at  tli.v 
early  day.  is  due  the  true  pre.s«'ntation  toil,. 
jtublic  of  the  merits  of  the  Northern  J'acilii 
Itased  upon  relial)le  facts,  when  there  wciv 
but  veiT  few  people  in  this  country  win. 
knew  anything  of  its  real  merits  and  the  iv 
sources  of  til -.'Count  rv  through  which  it  was  ; 
pass;  and  fewer  still  who  believed  it  was  pov 
sible  ever  to  build  it.  Then  and  there  w,i- 
inaugurated  the  first  practical  steps  towarn 
the  construction  of  a  railroad  by  the  Nortii 
ern  route  in  18.'»"2  from  Chicago. 

In  those  days  railroad  building  was  slow 
compared  with  what  it  is  now,  materiiil> 
ditKcult  to  get,  capital  timid,  contractors 
inexperienced,  and,  before  the  railroad  w;is 
finished  to  I'ond  du  Lac.  the;  panic  of  is.'iT 
overtook  it  and  stopped  all  work.  eml)ariass 
ing  the  company  and  contractors,  liefoiv 
the  company  couki  l)e  reorganized  the  Win 
of  the  Rebellion  came  on,  when  the  ur<reiit 
necessity  of  a  railroad  to  the  Pucilic  became 
apparent,  and  the  Government  selected  tin 
middle  route,  or  Union  Pacific,  as  the  first 
line  to  be  built,  granting  it  lands  and  w 
nKjney  subsidy,  it  being  understood  at  tlif 
time  that  the  same  money  subsidy  should  ai 
some  future  time  be  given  to  each  tin 
Northern  and  Southern  routes.  But  this  wa> 
never  carried  out  by  Congress,  and  the  rail. 
roads  by  both  these  routes  had  to  be  built 
l)y  private  enterprise,  with  only  the  laud 
grant,  but  without  tiny  money  subsidy  from 
the  United  States  Government. 

MANA(JEK    OK    tJOVKKNMENT    KAILROAPS    DUKINO 
THK    WAR   OK   THK   REItKI.LION. 

Soon  after  the  war  broke  out  and  tlif 
Government  assumed  control  of  the  rail- 
roads of  the  country,  Col.  Thomas  A.  Scott, 


.#■ 


T//o\r.is  II.  CAXFiEi.n. 


") 


lie  ptvcruoislii 
1(1  ri'iiuivt'd  till  It 
ill  jircscntin;;-  tu 
ncc  of  iliis  njiiii 
liuii  with  n'S|Hv 
To   Kdwiii    I 
KM'  man,  nt  tim 
t'seiitiitioii  tutlii 
s'ortlM'rii  I'acilii, 
.vlicn  tliei'o  Will 
lis   fouiitry   win 
M'its  iiiul  tiie  iv 
Invliicli  it  was ; 
lieved  it  was  pos 

and  there    Wih 
!al  steps  toward 
id  by  the  Nortii 
ijro. 
lilding  was  slow 

now,  iiiuteriiii> 
mid,  contractors 
he  raih'oad  was 
le  panic  of  18."m 
work,  eml)arrass 
ractors.  Hefon 
janized  the  AVm 
A'hen  the  urgent 
e  Pacilic  becaiin' 
lent  selected  tin 
cific,  as  the  first 

it  lands  and  n 
nderstood  at  thr 
;ubsidy  should  iii 
en  to  each  tin 
Des.  But  this  av;i> 
•ess,  and  the  rail. 

had  to  be  built 
li  onh'  the  himl 
ley  subsidy  from 
ent. 

JAILROADS  DUKINi. 
EHKLLION. 

oke  out  and  tlif 
trol  of  the  rail- 
rhomas  A.  Scott, 


of  the  I't'Miisv  lvimi;i  Railroad,  was  made 
assistant  si'irctarv  of  wiir  and  lit'iicriil  iiiaii- 
ager,  having  lnr  liisspec'al  diitii'S  the  collect- 
ing of  the  aniiii^  of  the  I'nitcd  States.  lie 
gent  for  Mi'.(  "unlii'M  and  placi'd  him  in  charge 
of  all  the  railniadsalioiitWashiiiirton  asassist- 
ant  iiiaiiagt'f.  At  this  lime  Washington  was 
surrounded  by  the  rcliels.and  ail  coinniunica- 
tioii  wasciitolF.both  by  land  and  water,  except 
bj' the  I'altimorciV-  ( )hio  Uailroad,  with  a  sin- 
gle track-  all  the  materials  and  supplies  for 
the  daily  support  of  all  the  citizens,  the  army 
and  everything,  as  well  as  all  passiMigers  and 
troops,  had  to  1k'  taken  over  this  line.  It 
recpiired  from  thirty  to  forty  trains  a  day 
each  way,  of  about  thirty-live  cars  each,  and 
the  fear  that  the  enemy  might  intercept 
them  at  any  time  caused  no  little  uneasiness 
to  the  President  and  his  Cabinet.  Even  the 
western  end  of  this  road  was  in  the  hands  of 
the  enemy,  its  oHicers  and  managers,  with 
one  honorable  exception,  the  superintendent, 
William  Prescott  Smith,  were  in  sympathy 
and  co-operating  with  the  rebels.  That 
portion  between  Jialtiniore  and  Washington 
was  guarded,  especially  at  the  culverts, 
embankments  and  bridges,  by  a  regiment 
under  the  command  of  ('ol.  John  If. 
Bol)inson,  of    liinghamton,  New   York. 

It  was  a  very  responsible  and  trying  posi- 
tion. The  flower  of  the  Confederate  army, 
under  their  experienced  and  popular  leailer, 
General  Lee,  was  encamped  upon  tlie 
"sacred  soil"  insight  of  the  capitol :  rebel 
gpies  and  allies  were  everywhere  present  in 
d'sguise,  occupying  ])ositions  of  trust  in  the 
different  depiirtments  of  the  Government, 
keejiing  up  a  constant  secret  communication 
with  the  rebel  leailers ;  the  whole  Xcnth  in 
a  state  of  anxiety  and  excitement  lest  the 
capital  of  the  I'nion,  with  its  treasures  and 
archives,  should  fall  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  while  the  South  was  hourly  ex- 
pecting to  hear  of  its  surrender  to  General 
Lee,  and  its  occupation  by  their  troops. 


Kvery  avenue  of  coinmiinication  by  land 
and  water  with  the  1  >istrici  of  Columbia  was 
ill  the  hands  of  the  rebi-ls.  ex(!ept  the  single 
iron  traek  to  Mallimore,  over  which  the 
.3n(i,(HMt  soldiers  for  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  were  to  be  transported  for  the  de- 
fense of  Washington,  as  well  as  everything 
for  the  support  of  man  and  beast  in  and 
about  Washington.  It  was  only  after  fre- 
(jueiit  interviews  and  repeated  assurances 
that  Mr.  Caiilield  could  satisfy  {'resident 
Lincoln  that  he  coii'd,  on  the  single  track, 
keepopen  a  communication  with  Washington 
until  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  should  be 
ct)llecte(l,  provided  the  (Jovernment  would 
furnish  troo|)s  enc)ugh  to  jirotect  the  line 
from  destruction. 

Put  the  rigid  .system  instituted  by  Mr. 
CanKeld  of  guarding  the  track  the  whole 
distance  by  day  and  night,  the  employment 
of  experienced,  loyal  railroad  otlicers  and 
men  whom  he  knew,  and  in  whom  he  had 
confidence;  an  implicit  obedience  of  all 
employes  to  the  rules  antl  regulations, 
enabled  him  to  transport  the  immense 
amount  of  freight,  j)as.sengers  and  troojis 
(luring  the  whole  bloekade  without  an 
accident  of  any  kind.  Never,  perhaps,  has 
there  been,  before  or  since  in  this  country,  so 
much  business  done  in  the  same  leni'th 
of  time,  with  so  much  jiromptness  and 
safety,  upon  a  single-track  railroad.  Upon 
its  successful  operation  the  fate  of  the 
nation  may  then  have  been  said  to  de- 
pend. Even  after  the  Army  of  the  Po- 
tomac had  Ix.'en  collected,  had  the  opera- 
tion of  this  railroad  been  cut  off  by  the 
rebels.  W^ashington  with  all  its  treasures  and 
archives,  and  even  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 
itself,  would  probably  have  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy,  the  effect  of  which  at 
that  time  uponthe  future  of  this  nation  no  one 
can  imagine.  The  recognition  of  the  South- 
ern Confederacy  bv  foreign  fjovernments 
would   have  been  assured,  which,   together 


30 


T//O.U.IS  II.  CAM- 1 1- ID. 


with  the  small  Northern  army  tln-n  in  the 
field  ami  the  syinpathv  <»f  tho  ropiH'rhcad 
plfiiKMU  ill  the  Nnrtii  with  st'cfssiun.  the 
juvsci'vationof  the  I'll  ion  ami  thesiipitression 
of  tlic  lielu'lhoii  would,  to  say  the  least,  iiave 
been  miK'li  more  dillicidt.  The  pi'evention 
of  such  a  calamity  was  due  to  a  j,n'eal  extent 
to  the  yreat  e.\i)erience.  untii-iui;-  watchful- 
ness, cool  judeiiieiit  and  carefid  manaj;e- 
ineiit  of  Mr.  Cantield.  who  was  master  of  the 
situation.  Ueepin^i-  his  (»wn  council  as  well  as 
the  secrets  of  the  (iovernment  entrusted  to 
him.  so  very  necessary  in  those  critical  times. 

Socm  after  reachiiij;' Washin<:ton,  Mr.  ("an- 
field.  with  the  assistance  of  the  lion.  Solomon 
Foote.  senatoi'  fi'om  Veriiiont.^ot  permission 
from  Mr.  (-'ameron.  seci-etary  of  war.  to  raise 
a  cavalry  leiiiment  in  N'ermont.  and  within 
twenty-fou!'  hours  fi'om  the  time  it  was  su^- 
irested  he  received  a  commission  for  Col. 
]..  !'..  I'latt.  of  Colchester,  with  insti'ucticjiis 
to  purchase  the  horses  and  raise  the  rciiimeiit 
at  once.  As  Mr.  Canfield  could  not  be 
sjiared  from  \Vasliini;ton.  he  wrote  to  lead- 
ing men  in  dill'ei'eiit  pai'ts  of  X'erniont,  ap- 
pealing'to  them  to  assist,  aniony  them  Z.  H. 
Canlleld.  of  Arlin<;ton,  and  .1.  I).  Hatch,  of 
"Wimlsor.  the  I'esult  of  which  was.  within 
sixty  days.  Col.  I'latt  i-epoited  with  hisrej^i- 
meiit  at  Wasliiniiton,  which  irndered  service 
duriiie' tiie  wai"  second  to  no  other  in  the 
armv.  The  "general  movement  of  the  armv 
till'  next  season  into  \'ireinia  and  the  South 
raised  the  blockade  and  ivmoveil  the 
necessity  of  further  vigilance  at  Washington; 
and  the  death  of  ^^r.  Doolittle,  the  supeiin- 
tendeiit  of  the  steamers  on  Lake  Champlain. 
created  a  vacancy  which  the  direct(jrs  ol 
the  comiKiny  desired  ^[r.  Caiiiield  to  fill, 
which  he  accepted.  I'etiinied  to  lUir- 
lin<iti>n.  X'ermont,  and  for  several  year, 
was  the  general  superintendent  and  treas- 
urer of  the  company. 

During  his  sii])erintendeiicy  the  business  of 
the  company  increased  rapidly,  and  the  few 


years  during  his  administration    wei'e    the 
most  prosperous  the  company  ever  saw. 

In  ISC',  the  Clyde  Coal  and  Mining  Com 
pany.  of  Nova  Scotia.  (»wned  mostly  in  New 
Voik  and  Pennsylvania,  secured  his  servicis 
to  go  to  Cape  Hreton  to  open  some  mines 
of  gas  coal,  from  which  place  the  gas  com 
panics  of  New  Kngland,  New  York  and  even 
Wasningt<»n  were  supplied.  While  there 
Ml'.  Canlleld,  in  the  winter  of  lS«ir>  t'.i'i. 
matle  an  examination  of  I.ouisburg  Harbor, 
the  Ix.'st  harbor  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  from 
Cape  Xoitli  to  ('ape  Sable,  thinking  it  woulil 
idtimately  become  the  terminus  of  the  trans- 
continental railroads,  from  which  point  ii 
steamer  can  make  Liverpool  in  four  days. 
Since  that  time  railroads  have  been  built 
from  the  I'acitic  Ocean  to  within  loo  miles  nt 
this  place,  thus  [iractically  confirming  lii> 
views  on  •^'">  matter. 

FoliMATIoN     <    ■     rilK     sVNOU'ATi:    To    CO.NSTKrci 
TIIK    .NoKTIIKK.N     l'.\(ll-I('    K.M  I.IJOAK. 

During  the  war  .losiah  IVrliam,  of  Maim', 
had  procured  a  charter  from  the  State  ol 
M;,iiie  for  a  railroad  from  Maine  to  tin 
I'aciiic  coast,  which  he  called  Jie  I'eople^' 
liailnjad.  His  plan  was  that  no  person 
should  have  nioi'e  than  one  share  of  stock, 
and  that  it  should  nevei'  be  mortgaged,  a 
purely  visionary  scheme.  Sid)se(|uently  hi- 
friends  induced  him  to  abandon  it,  or  in 
other  wonls,  apply  to  Congress  for  a  new 
charter  with  iiioi'e  practical  provisions,  which, 
by  the  assistance  of  Maj.  Isaac  I.  Stevens. 
Colonel  Aldrich  and  Senator  Henry  M.  Rice, 
of  Minnesota,  and  others,  he  jji-ocured  iiii 
del' the  nameof  the  Northein  Pacific.  After 
tiie  war  was  over  he  made  an  attempt  t" 
organi/eit  and  cari'y  it  forward,  but  his  plan> 
were  too  impracticable,  and  after  spendini: 
mucli  time  and  all  his  means,  as  well  as  sonn' 
of  that  of  his  friends,  having  issued  $t;(iO,U<  " 
of  preferred  stock,also,he  became  discourage  '1 
and  i)ropohed  to  transfer  the  charter  and  fraii- 


'rtSW 

w 


TIIOMJs   //   <AM  III  n. 


tion    wrrt'   tilt' 

cvt'r  saw. 

Miniiijj;  Coin 

mostly  in  N»'\v 

iTil  Ills  servii'(> 

n  soin«>   iniiK  > 

o  the  <;as  com 

Voi'k  iiiul  t'Vcn 

While    tli.-iv 

r  of    is»i,'>  tit',, 

ishiiij^  Ilarlit.r. 

tic  coast,   I'l'oin 

linkint;  it  would 

HIS  of  the  ti'iiii> 

which    ))oii)t  ,1 

)l    in  four  «lav>. 

lave   been   built 

tiiin  100  miles  III 

conlii'inin<r  hi^ 


|i-:   TO   r(»NsTRr(i 

KAII.WoAlt. 

'rham,  of  Maim', 
)MJ  the  State  nl 
I  Elaine  to  the 
ed  ihe  I'eoplcV 
that  no  person 
>  share  of  stock, 
le  mortgaged,  :i 
Subseciuently  hi- 
aiidoii  it,  oi'  ill 
grcss  for  a  new 
)rovisions.  which, 
Isaac  I.  Stevens. 
•  Heni'V  M.  liici', 
he  procured  uii 
n  Pacilic.  After 
e  an  attempt  t" 
ard,  but  his  jilan- 
1  aftei'  spend i  11 1; 
>.  as  well  as  sonn' 
^^  issued  8<'<>0,(Ji  " 
.'ametliscouragcii 
charter  and  fraii 


31 


chise  toil  foreign  piirty.  One  of  his  neigh- 
bors, the  lion.  11. 1 ).  I  {ice.  of  Ma  illf.  Iieiiiing<>r 
this,  lulled  upon  the  Hull.  .I.dregory  Siiiitli.of 
Veiiiiont.  :iiid  r>en|iiiini;  I'.  Cheiiey.of  I'dston. 
who  knew  of  the  \;ilue  of  the  franchise.  Mild 
the\  aiTiiiiiied  with  Mr.  rerhani,  the  ostensi- 
ble proprietor,  to  ti'au>b'r  the  whole  enter- 
prise to  tlieiii  to  save  it  to  this  c(»uiitrv  and 
from  going  into  ihe  liiinds  of  the  (irand 
Trunk  liiiilroiid  of  Cniiadii.  wliicli  w;is 
endi'iivoring  to  get  control  of  it.  An  a>'tive 
man  was  wanted  to  take  charge  of  the  busi- 
ness, to  attend  to  all  tiio  di-tails,  to  bring  the 
merits  of  the  enterprise  before  Congress  and 
the  country.  .Mr.  Caiitield.  who  was  well 
known  to  all  these  gentlemen  as  haviim  yiveii 
much  attention  to  the  matter  in  former  years, 
with  ^fr.  .lohnson,  was  appointed  a  director 
and  general  ayeiit  of  the  company,  with 
power  to  take  such  measures  as  he  thought 
necessary  to  get  the  company  into  o]»eratioii, 
and  to  carry  out  the  provisions  of  the  charter 
in  the  work  of  construction,  under  the  advice 
of  the  directors  from  time  to  time.  After 
the  failure  of  Congress  in  1S<U'»  and  lS«i7  to 
grant  aid.  it  was  evident  that  the  temper  of 
that  body  was  hostile  to  further  government 
aid  to  railroads,  which  was  encouraged  by 
those  interested  in  the  Union  and  Central 
Pacilh;  Railroads,  to  prevent,  if  possible,  the 
building  of  the  noi'thei'ii  and  .southern  lines. 
The  directors  of  the  Northern  I'acilic  were 
much  discouraged,  and  at  times  were  about 
ready  to  abandon  the  eiuerprise  and  lose 
what  money  they  had  already  put  in.  Ihit 
the  charter  would  exjiire  in  two  years.  ]\[r. 
Canfiehl,  who  had  been  .so  many  yeai-s  work- 
ing for  the  ent(M"prise.  would  not  (consent  to 
give  it  up  without  one  nu»re  effort  to  save 
it.  knowing  full  well  that  with  the  state 
of  public  sentiment  then  existing,  if  this  ' 
charter  expired,  another  would  never  be 
granted. 

To  secure  an  extension  of  the  charter  and 
give  it   a   nn)re   national   character   than  it 


seemed  to  have  had  l)ef<»re.  inconsequence  of 
most  of  those  ideiitilied  with  it  beinir  from 
.New  Knglaiid.  .Mr.  Cailtield  conceived  the 
iili  a  of  a  syndicate  of  gentlemen,  to  be  ma<le 
lip  from  tlnxe  occupying  prominent  posi- 
tions in  the  leadiiiir  railroatls  of  the  country, 
lie  went  to  St.  .Vliiaiis  and  laid  the  matter 
before  <  ioveriior  .'^niitli,  who  was  then  presi- 
dent of  till'  .Noithein  racilic  Kailioad.  who 
concurred  in  it  :  but,  lieiiig  too  biisv  with 
the  alfairs  of  the  N'ermoiit  Central  iJailroad 
to  give  iniicli  personal  attention  to  the  plan, 
he  told  Mr.  Canlield  to  i:o  ahead  and  he 
Would  endorse  anything  he  might  do.  Mr. 
( 'aiilield  left  r.urlington  for  New  York  on 
the  -itilli  day  of  December.  l>t!i'..  with  a 
liea.v  heart,  but  I'esolved  tti  make  a  last 
desperate  etl'ort  to  .save  the  iiiagnilicent 
enterprise  about  which  he  had  already  spent 
so  many  years  of  his  life.  Mr.  William  I>. 
Ogden.  »»f  Chicago,  witii  whom  Mr.  Canfiehl 
had  long  been  acrpiainted.  was  the  president 
of  the  Chicago  i^  .Northwestern  ]{ailroad, 
was  better  informed  upon  the  resources  of 
the  great  Northwest,  and  had  spent  more 
time  in  investigating  them  than  any  other 
man  of  his  time,  and  could  better  ap|)reciate 
the  magnitude  of  the  Northern  I'acilic  and 
the  development  of  an  empire  which  niu.st 
follow  its  construction.  ^Ir.  Canlield  felt 
that  his  first  point  was  to  secure  tlu;  active 
co-operation  of  ^[r.  Ogden  and  induce  him 
totake  hold  of  it,  notwithstamling  he  was 
overwhelmed  with  business. 

It  was  some  days  before  he  could  get  ^\v. 
Ogden  to  give  any  attention  to  it:  but 
linally  secured  an  appointment  with  him  to 
spend  a  day  at  his  home  at  IJoscobel.  near 
High  P.ridge.  twelve  miles  from  New  York, 
and  take  up  the  subject. 

3Ir.  Cantield,  early  on  the  day  appointed, 
went  to  Uoscobel  with  his  maps,  |>lans  and 
printed  copies  of  the  charter,  and  commenc- 
ing with  its  provisions  and  discussing  them, 
he  soon  enlisted  the   interest   of   Mr.  Offden 


^ 


'J//OMAS   II.  CAX FIELD. 


to  siK'li  an  extent  that  tliev  continued  their 
ilisiMissioii  from  l*  o'cloek  in  the  niornin<i- 
until  Mii(lnii>iit.  ^Ir.  Canfield's  plan  was  to 
form  a  syndicate  of  twelve  men.  rej)resentin<;- 
the  leading  railway,  express  and  transporta- 
tion intei'ests  of  the  counti'v.  and  to  give  to 
eaclMMK'-twelfth  of  the  enterprise,  they  jviy- 
ing  therefor  their  proportion  of  the  original 
cost.  Thus  the  twelve  would  own  the  enttM'- 
])rise,  each  snhscriher  coming  in  on  the 
'•ground  floor."  The  twelve  names  pre- 
sentetl  by  !^^r.  Cantield  sw.n'^  acceptai>le  to 
Ml'.  Ogden. 

During  this  interview  at  lioscobel,  in  con 
sidering  the  various  questions  and  emer- 
gencies which  might  arise  in  the  unknown 
future  before  the  roa<l  should  l)e  "put 
upon  its  feet,"  and  the  work  of  construc- 
tion commenced.  ]\fr.  Ogden  said  to  Mi-. 
Cantield,  "How  much  money  will  it  reipiii'e  t(» 
bi'iug  this  about  I  how  much  money  will  each 
one  have  to  pay.  and  how  long  will  it  take  '.  " 

Mr.  Oaniield  frankly  r(>])Iieil.  "that  it  was 
a  long  road  to  travel,  that  it  had  bittiM"  and 
strong  enemies  in  and  out  of  Congress  to 
contend  with,  and  that  you.  ^Ir.  Ogden.  with 
your  experience,  know  that  it  would  take 
considerable  money  to  make  surveys  and  do 
{)reliminary  work  upon  so  long  a  route 
across  the  Rocky  mountains,  of  which  earh 
one  is  expecte«l  to  furnish  iiis  proportion 
from  time  to  time." 

"  What  then,"  .said  ^fr.  Ogden.  "will  !>(> 
the  chance  of  our  getting  our  money  back  '.  " 

"About  one  in   fifty."  said  ^\\\  Canlield. 

'•  .\  line  chance."  said  Mr.  Ogden  :  "and 
upon  what  ground  then.  ]\Ir.  ("aniield.  do 
you  ask  us  to  put  up  our  money,  with  so 
little  prospect  of  return  '." 

•' rpon  this  ground.  ]\[r.  Ogden.  which  I 
have  no  doulit  will  commend  itself  to  your 
gootl  judgment:  This  enterprise  is  one  of 
the  greatest  ev(>r  undertaken  in  tiie  world  — 
it  is  equal  to  that  of  the  East  India  ("om- 
])any — it   is   the    only   continuous   charter 


ever    granted    across   tiiis  continent,    from 
water   to    water,    and    with    the    i)revailini; 
sentiment,  wliich  is  increasing  in  this  conn 
try.  of  hostilitv  to  railroa<l  grants,  assisted 
by  (iovernment  aid  of  subsidy,  or  even  Avil 
lands,  if  this  is  allowed    to    lapse,   anothci 
will  never  be  granted  ;   it  will   open    up  ai 
empire,  now  occupied  iiy  the  savages,  whicl 
will  furnish  liap])y  homes  for  millions  of  i' 
poor  of  this  and  other  countries,   and  tl 
resources  and  wealth  which   it    will  develo| 
will  simply    be  incalculable ;  and  withal  it 
will  l)e  the  great  highway  for  the  trade  ol 
China,   Japan    and  the  East    Indies,  across 
the   continent.     It  is   due  to  the  ])eoi)le  ol 
this  country  and  to  this   nation,   that  you, 
gentlt'inen.  whom  Providence  has  placed  ai 
the  head  of  the  great  transportation  inter- 
ests of  the  country,   shouhl  step  in   at    this 
crisis  and  use  your   iiiHuence   and    advance 
your  money  to  save  this  magnillcent   enter- 
prise from  destruction." 

"  And  sui)|)ose  I  put  my  money  in  for 
such  a  laudal)le  purpose,  what  have  you  got 
to  give  me  or  others  who  may  be  associated 
with  us  to  show  for  it  T' 

"1  have  nothing  to  give.  I  have  sug- 
gested the  names  of  twelve  men,  including 
oui'selves."  said  Mr.  Canlield,  "  wlunu  1 
believe  to  be  honorable  men,  and  whose 
word,  once  given,  wili  serve  every  pur|)ose." 

"  I  supiit.se  it  is,  then,"  said  Air.  Ogden. 
"simply  a  nii.tter  of  honor  between  gentle- 
men." 

"  Exactly." 

"  Well.Mr.  Canlield.  that  is  high  and  noble 
yroiind.  The  charter  must  be  saved  and  1 
will  take  hold  with  you.  ^leet  me  at  my 
otHce.  .">"  Itroadway,  to-morrow  morning, 
and  we  will  lay  siege  to  the  directors  of  tlu' 
Chicago  it  Xorthwestern  Railroad,  whost 
intluence  we  must  enlist."  So  saying,  Mr, 
Ogden  rang  his  bell  for  his  coachman  and 
directed  him  to  drive  Mr.  Canlield  to  tlu 
Fifth  Avenue  Hotel. 


-^m^^*- 


v//o.u.-f^  II.  CAXFiF.rn. 


23 


s   tin's  contiiiont,    from 
1    with    tlio   prevailiiii; 
ncroiising  in  this  coiiii 
lilrojid  grants,  assisted 
I'  siil)si(Iy,  or  even  wJM 
\^•('^.    to    lai)se,   anoth.i 
I  ;   it  will   open    iip  nn 
liy  tlie  savayos.  wliicli 
)nies  for  millions  of  I'f 
ler  countries,   and  the 
which   it    will  ilevoln|, 
culablo ;  and   withal  it 
nvay   for  the  trade  of 
he  East    Indies,  across 
<Iiio  to  tiie  i)eo))le  ol 
this   nation,   that  yoii, 
)vidence  lias  placed  at 
t   transpoi'tation  intcr- 
shouhl   step  in   at    this 
iiitliience   and   advanto 
Ills  niagnillcent   entci'- 
1. 

put  my  money  in  for 
)se.  what  luive  you  i-oi 
A-ho  i<iay  be  associatcl 
■  V 

to  give.  I  have  siio'- 
twelve  men,  includiuii 
Canlield,  "  whom  I 
ihle  men,  and  whose 
serve  every  purpose." 
CD."  said  ^[r.  Ogilen, 
honor  between  'rentie 


,  that  is  high  aiul  noble 
must  be  saved  and  1 
ou.  Meet  me  at  my 
to-morrow  moi-niny. 
o  tiie  directors  of  the 
item  Jiailroad,  whos<' 
list."  So  saying,  Mf. 
or  his  coachman  and 
'  ^fr.  Canlield  to  tiie 


It  was  past  iiiidni^''lit.  and  ^\\\  Canlield 
retired  iiiiich  ligliti'i'-heai'ted  than  when  he 
left  N'eriiioiit.  ami  reeling  that  a  good  day's 
worlc  iiad  lieeii  dniie.  ami  that  daylight  was 
about  to  dawn  ii|ioii  his  favorite  jtroject. 

In  oi'der  that  tiiei'c  should  be  no  cause  for 
disagreement  in  the  future  and  that  the 
objects  fur  wliicli  the  syndicati;  was  formed 
should  lie  listiuctU  understood,  as  ii])  to  this 
time  Mr.  Canlield  had  made  only  a  rough 
sketch  of  tlitMii.  he  telegra])hed  to  Vermont 
to  Gt)\  ei'iioi'iSiuith  tocome  to  New  Ym'k,  and 
with  liiiii  spent  most  of  the  loth  day  of 
January.  iSfiT,  at  the  I'iftli  .\ venue  Hotel,  in 
puttiiiii'  1)11  to  paper  in  a  condensed  foi'in  the 
apgreeuieiit  for  the  twelve  ])arties  to  sign, 
whii'li  was  really  tlieCuuslitiition  upon  which 
was  based  tiie  future  proceedings  and  which 
was  afterwards  known  in  the  alfnirs  of  the 
company  as  th(>  "Original  Interests  Agree- 
ment." It  W'.is  late  in  the  afternoon  wIkmi  i 
they  took  this  doeiiuieiit  to  57  I'roadway  to 
submit  tn  ^[r.  Ogdeu.  which.  aft(M' discussi'/U 
and  explanation  rci'eived  his  hearty  appi'oval 
without  a  single  alteration.  It  wj's  e'l^ttiiie 
dark,  and  as  Mr.  Ogdeu  had  10  drive 
to  Ins  home  at  I'oscobel.  twi>lve  miles,  he 
Siiid : 

'•  Well.  gentl(-a:',Mi,  is  there  anything  else  \ 
todof" 

'•  Ves.  tliere  is  one  thing  more."' said  Mr. 
Canlield.  "thai  is.  Ua'  you  to  take  the  pen 
and  put  your  naitu'  to  this  papiM"  for  one  of 
the  one-twelfth   inlirests."  | 

"  I'lit  ,t  is  so  d.irk."  said  Mr.  Ogdeu,  "  I 
do  not  know  as  1  I'aii  see  to  write,  and  if  1 
do.  as  you  can  I'ead  it." 

"  Wt>!l.  "  .saitl  Mr.  < 'atitield.  "  try  it  and  we 
will  aci'ept  the  siiinature  for  better  or 
Worse."  Mr.  <>iiden  liieii  signed  his  name 
and  tliey  separaleil.  .\s  (Jovernor  Smith  , 
and  .Mr,  ('aulield  walked  up  I'.roadway. 
passing  Trinity  cliiiri  li,  (iovcruor  v'<niith  said 
he  felt  that  a  critical  turning-point  in  the 
Kortliern  I'acilic  enterprise  had  been  passed 


and  that  that  signature  fixed  the  star  of  the 
Northern  Pacitic. 

Mr.  Canlield  and  the  (n  vernor  soon  after 
prociire<l  the  remaining  signatures  to  the 
agreement,  which  compo.sed  the  syndicate, 
as  follows:  .1.  (Ti'cgory  Smith,  of  St.  All)ans, 
N'ermout.  president  of  the  Central  X'einiont 
Railroad;  Richard  D.  Rice,  of  Aujiusta, 
Niaine,  prt^sideiit  of  the  Elaine  Central  Kail- 
road  :  Tliomas  H.  Caiiiield,  of  Rurlington, 
N'ermont  ;  AVilliam  15.  Ogdeu,  of  Chicago, 
Illinois.  ])resi(lent  of  the  Chicago  iV'  >i"orth- 
westeni  Railroad  :  Robert  Ii.  I5erdell,  of 
New  York,  president  of  the  Krie  Railroad; 
Daiifoi'th  N.  l'.arney,of  New  York,  piesident 
of  AVells.  Fargo  iV  Co.,  Exjuess  Company; 
Ashiiel  II.  Rarney,  Mew  York,  president  of 
Inited  States  Exjii'ess  Company  ;  llenjamin 
1*.  Cheney,  of  Roston.  jiresident  of  I'liited 
States  it  Canada  Express  Company;  AVill- 
iam  G.  Faigo.  of  Ilulfalo,  New  York,  viee- 
pri^sident  of  New  York  C(>ntral  Railroad 
and  ])resident  of  the  Amei-ican  Exjiress  Coni- 
l)any;  (ieori:e  W.Cass,  of  rittsburgh,  Penn- 
sylvania, president  I'ittsburgh,  Fort  Wayne 
it  .'liicago  Railroad;  .1.  Edgar  Thompson,  of 
i'hiladelphia.  Pa.,  president  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad;  and  Edward  Reilley,of  Lan- 
caster, i'ennsylvania.  At  a  later  day  a 
division  of  some  of  these  interests  was  made 
by  wliich  .lay  Cooke  iV  Co.,  Charles  P., 
Wright,  Thomas  A.  Scott,  of  Philadelphia; 
Frederick  Ihllings,  of  Woodstock.  N'erinont, 
and  William  Windom  and  William  S.  Iving, 
of  ^Minnesota,  became  actively  interested, 
the  two  latter  gentlemen  being  the  only  men 
from  Minnesota,  except  Governor  Ramsey 
and  ^Ir.  Donnelly,  who  nuinifested  at  that 
day  any  great  intei-est  in  the  undertaking, 
and  the  only  men  from  that  State  who  ad- 
vanced any  money  to  help  along  the  enter- 
prise. Strange  does  it  seem  that  thecitixens 
of  a  State  which  it  was  evident  then  must 
receive,  and  since  has  received,  so  much 
beiielit  from  this  railroad,  should    not    have 


24 


THOMAS  II.  CAX//E/.D, 


taken  more  iiitercst  in  in'onioting  it,  when  it 
needed  tlie  most  assistance  in  its  dark  days, 
and  when  men  from  tlie  East  who  had  not 
a  dollar  of  property  in  Minnesota  were  de- 
voting their  time  and  money  to  organize  and 
put  into  o])eration  tliis  magnificent  under- 
taking. 

And  at  this  day  it  seems  hardly  i)ossible  to 
believe  tliat  all  the  delegation  in  Congress 
from  Illinois  except  General  Logan  and  Nor- 
man 1).  .liidd;  from  Indiana  except  Gov- 
ernor ^[orton.  Daniel  Vooriiees  and  ^M.  C. 
Morton  ;  from  Ohio  except  Senator  Sherman 
an<l  two  or  three  others,  should  have  opposed 
it  in  Congress,  and  that  such  men  as  E.  li. 
Washburn,  .John  AVentwoi-th  and  Columbus 
Delano  should  light  it  bitti-rly  on  the  Hoor 
for  many  days,  ami  finally  defeated  any 
aid  of  any  kind,  either  in  subsidy  of  bonds 
or  guarantee  of  interest. 

Six  of  the  former  directors  resigned.  a!id 
!^^JSsrs.  Ogden.  Cass,  Thompson,  IJerdell, 
Fargo  and  Cantield  were  elected  in  their 
places. 

SIKvr.VS  AND  KXl'I.OKATIONS. 

The  new  board  foun<l  it  necessary,  in  order 
to  satisfy  the  numerous  inquiries  made  in 
Congress  as  to  the  practicability  of  the  route, 
and  in  order  to  fix  a  definite  location,  to 
institute  survevs  from  Lake  Superioi-  ti'oini'' 

1.  1        .  loo 

Avest  and  from  Puget  Sound  coming  east. 
In  order  to  do  this  Edwin  F.  Johnson  was 
clK.sen  chief  engineer,  and  Thomas  IL  Can 
field  general  manager  to  coHect  funds,  make 
disbursements  and  attend  generally  to  the 
business  of  the  company.  Tiius  the  two 
men  who,  ill  1S:.l>,  so  often  laid  plans  for  a 
Pacific  railroad  in  the">^toi!e  store"  at  Bur- 
lington, Verinoiu,  were,  after  fifteen  years, 
brought  together  again  as  the  active  men  in 
starting  forward  and  taking  charge  of  this 
great  enterprise. 

(ien.  Ira  Spaulding  was  detailed  as  assist- 
ant engineer  of  the  Minnesota  division,  with 


instructions  to  run  a  line  from  Bayfield.  ^V|s 
consin.  to   St.  Cloud,   Minnesota,  thence  vi, 
Sauk  Centre  and  Alexandria,  keeping  soiiti 
of  the  Leaf  Hills,  to  some  point  on  the  Kit 
Eiver  near  Georgetown  ;    and  another  lin. 
from  Su})erior,  AVisconsin,  in  charge  of  ;M.( 
Kimberly   (now    assistant   manager  of  tin 
road),  via  Frencli   Ilapids  (now  near  Br.iiii 
erd).  Leaf  Biver  and  Detroit  Lake,  to  inter 
cept  the  other  line,  which  was  done,  makiii: 
the  ])oint  of  intersection  on  the  south  braiici. 
of  the  l)Utl'alo  river,  about  two  miles  west  of 
Glyndon.     At  that  time  it  was  the  expecin 
tion  that  the    road  would  run  north  of   tin 
^[issouri  river,  via  Devil's  Lake.  Fort  P.cn 
ton  and  Catlott's  Pass,  to  Missoida,  althoui:li 
the  route   via  the  Yellowstone    was   under 
consideration,      and      which      was     linallv 
adopted,  crossing  the   Tlocky  mountains  ;it 
^lullan  Pass  to  Missoula.    The  i)oint  of  tlivcr 
gence  of   the   Yellowstone   route  from  tlie 
upper  Missouri  route  was  at  the  west  end  (if 
the  cut,  two  miles   east  of  Audubon.     Gen. 
James   Tilton,   of   Delaware,   who  was  the 
Government    engineer  a])iK)inted    by    Pres- 
ident   Pierce    to  establisli     the   Willamette 
meridian  and   to   survey  the   original  town- 
ships in  Oregon  and  AVashington  Territory, 
was  employeil  on  account  of  his   familiarity 
with  that  country  to  examine   the   Cascade 
mountains,  wliicli  presented  the  most  formid- 
able barrier  to  the   passage   of   a   railroad. 
His  examination  determined  the  existence  nf 
at  least  three  or  four  practicable  passes  in  the 
Cascade  range,  viz. :  Pack  woods  or  the  Cow- 
litz, south  of  A[ount   Tacoma,  leading   from 
tlie  Cowlitz  river  on   the  west  to  the  Atali 
nam  branch  of  tlie  Yakima  river  on  the  east ; 
another,    the    Snoqi      iiie    pass,    north      uf 
A[ount  Tacoma  to    Lake   Kitchelas,  a  trii)- 
utary  of  the  Yakima;   and  Cady's  pass,  still 
farther   north,   between   the   waters  of  the 
We-nach-ee    and    Skykomish.       Since   thai 
time    a    fourth    one    has    been    discovered 
between  the  Sno(pialmie and  Mount  Tacoma. 


Ill  Bayfield,  AViv 
'sota,  tlit'uce  \ !; 
I,  keo|)in<;-  soiiti 
toiiit  on  tlie  IIiL 
ind  anotlier  tin. 
charge  of  ]\I.( 
naiiager  of  tli. 
o\v  near  Brain. 
t  Lake,  to  intii 
as  dt)ne.  niakiii: 
liesoutli  braiici 
ivo  miles  west  o; 
\'as  tlie  expecia- 
iin  north  of   tlir 
.ake.   Fort  jrlcii 
ssonla,  althoiii:li 
one    was    umler 
I      was     finall\ 
y  iiiountaiiis  at 
e  point  of  diviT 
route   from  the 
tlie  west  end  uf 
^.iidubon.     Gen. 
!,   who  was  till' 
in  ted    bv    Pres- 
the   Willamettf 
ori<^-inal  town- 
igtoii  Territory, 
his   familiarity 
le   the   Cascade 
le  most  formid- 
of  a   railroad, 
the  existence  of 
lie  passes  in  tin' 
ids  or  the  Cow- 
,  leading   from 
it  to  the  Atali- 
er  on  the  east : 
iss,    north     of 
chelas,  a   trih- 
iidy's  pass,  still 
waters  of   tlie 
Since   that 
en    discovered 
lount  Tacoma. 


77 fOM. IS  II.  CAX FIELD. 


25 


the  Stampede  ])ass.  through  which  the  rail- 
road now  runs. 

As  there  were  hardly  any  settlements  or 
roads  then  through  the  country  wliere  the.se 
lines  jiassed,  and  the  only  way  to  reach  the 
Pacihc  coast  In-irig  by  Panama  and  the  Isth- 
mus. c(jrisc(pieiitly,  so  soon  after  the  war 
closed,,  wIhmi  gold  was  17rito2oO,  the  expenses 
of  all  preliminary  surveys  or  work  over  a 
country  of  thousands  of  miles,  so  inaccessibh? 
for  ordinary  transportation,  many  of  thesiip- 
plies  having  to  be  carried  in  upon  the  liacks 
of  horses  and  in  some  cases  by  Indians, 
became  very  great,  and  at  times  it  seemed 
almost  impossible  to  carry  on  the  work  at 
all.  At  the  same  time,  while  these  sui'vevs 
and  otliiM"  explorations  were  l)eing  made,  its 
enemies  were  at  work  with  Congress  to  pre- 
vent an  extension  of  its  charter,  destroy  its 
land  grant,  and  defeat  a  money  subsi<ly.  such 
as  had  ijeen  given  to  the  Union  Pacific. 
To  accomplish  this,  strong  inducements  were 
offered  by  powerful  parties  for  a  surrender 
of  the  west  end  of  the  line  fnnn  Montana  to 
Puget  Sound  to  competing  routes,  coupled 
with  the  assurance  that  with  such  surrender 
their  assistance  would  be  given  to  .secure  a 
subsidy  for  the  whole  line,  but  without  such 
surrender  they  would  defeat  it.  Tempting 
as  such  a  proposition  was  financially,  in  the 
Btia'tened  circumstances  of  the  company,  yet 
it  was  spiu-ned  with  contempt  by  \.\w.  ollicers, 
and  Mr.  Canlield  gave  the  jiarty  making  it  to 
understand,  that  it  was  the  only  continuous 
charter'  that  ever  was  or  pi-obably  ever  Wf)\dd 
be  granted  acnjss  the  continent,  and  that 
under  no  circumstances  or  emergeiu-y.  how- 
ever pressing,  would  the  }}romoters  submit  to 
its  dismend)erment,  sufisidy  or  no  subsidy, 
and  that  the  lailroad  woidd  be  built  as  a 
continuous,  unbroken,  ti'aiiscontinental  line, 
under  its  charter,  intact  and  unimpaired, 
from  the  (4reat  I.akes  to  the  I'acitic  Ocean, 

The  i-esult  has  been  that  the  promise  of 
the  iiartv  was  fullilled,  and  the  subsidv  was 


defeated:  while  that  of  Mr.  Canfield  has  also 
been  fullilied,and  the  Northern  Pacific  llail- 
road  has  been  built  from  Lake  Superior  to 
Puget  Sound  with  its  charter  unimpaired. 
Too  much  credit  can  nr)t  be  given  to  the  pro- 
moters for  taking  their  strong  stand  against 
dismembermenl  in  those  stormy  days. 

Xotwithstanding  all  these  difiicidties,  in 
addition  to  numerous  others  which  the  lim- 
its of  tills  article  will  not  permit  to  be  men- 
tioned, the  subscriliers  to  the  syndicate  con- 
tinued cheerfully  to  make  advances  for  the 
cost  of  surveys  and  other  ex|tenses  of  the 
com]»any  until  they  had  furnished  about  '■' 
quarter  of  a  million  of  dollars  from  their 
own  ju'ivate  [lockets,  and  until  the  com|)any 
was  fairly  under  way  bv  the  financial  arrange- 
ment  with  Jay  (Jooke  »fc  Co.,  ^\\\  Canfield  in 
the  meantime  receiving  all  the  moneys, 
making  the  disbursements,  keeping  the 
accounts  until  they  were  turned  over  to  the 
new  organization,  arising  from  the  arrange- 
ment  with  Messrs.  Cooke  iV:  Co..  and  the 
original  twelve  parties  to  the  syndicate 
relieved  from  their  personal  obligations. 
During  the  whole  of  this  time  not  a  member 
of  the  syndicate  hesitated  for  a  moment 
when  called  upon  fen*  his  proportion,  nor 
entertained  a  doubt  as  to  the  ultimate  results 
of  the  undertaking. 

To  those  of  the  present  day  who  pass  over 
this  beautiful,  diversified  country  of  2,000 
miles,  from  Lake  Superior  to  Puget  Sound, 
at  the  rate  of  forty  nnles  per  hour,  in  the 
elegant  palace  cars  of  the  ?sorthern  Pacific 
iiailroad     Company,     through     flourishing 


villages   and 


cities,    amid  the  golden  wheat 


tielils  of  Minnesota  and  Dakota,  the  rich 
mines,  and  flocks  and  "herds  upon  a 
thousand  hills  "in  Montana  and  Idaho,  and 
the  magnificent  forests  of  Washington  Terri- 
tory, it  is  impossible  by  any  language  to  con- 
vey to  them  an  idea  of  the  innumerable 
trials,  the  almost  insuperable  difticulliesantl 
insurmountable  obstacles  which  surroundeil 


26 


THOMAS  //.  CAN  FIELD. 


tliis  enterprise  for  two  or  tlii-ee  years,  even 
l)efore  a  bar  of  iron  was  laid,  not  to  mention 
tliose  wliieli  tlie  panic  of  IS";^  entailed  njKjn 
it.  />'//  t<»'  the  tii/i'inircs,  /•iiuriii/t\  faif/i  uinl 
iuitiii')ii'i  of  tIn'Ke  finln  nn n,  there  inmlil 
lidVc  liii  II  no    JVorf/ii'/'li     I'llrijir  liillll'iKtJ  ti>- 

ihiij.  Those  were  the  dark  days  ot  the  enter- 
])ris(!,  when  it  i'e(|iiii'ed  faith  and  coiira«^'e. 
when  the  project  was  ridiculed  as  inipossil)le, 
and  its  advocates  as  cra/.y  and  visionary  ;  and 
in  view  of  the- ignorance  which  then  ])ervaded 
the  whole  count  v\  as  to  tli(»  climate,  resources 
and  practical)ility  of  tiiis  loiite  to  the  Pacilic, 
and  tile  conse(|uent  ohhxpiy  and  ridicule 
which  was  poured  out  upon  those  who  had 
undertaken  it.  it  is  safe  to  say  that  at  least 
as  much  credit  is  due  to  tiiose  twelve  men 
who.  amid  good  and  evil  i-eport,  stood  up 
with  tiicir  i)rains  and  money  and  carried  it 
thi'ough.  as  to  those  in  later  days,  who,  after 
its  praitiral)ility  had  i)een  demonstrated, 
conlidence  ci'eated.  money  i-aised  and  success 
assured,  have  been  instrumental  in  its  linal 
completion. 

^Ir.  ( 'aniield  spent  ninch  time  in  Wash- 
ington at  ditrerent  times  to  st:-cnre  the  neces- 
sai'v  legislation  foi'  extending  the  charter  of 
tiu>  coujpany.  procuriiiii'  the  rigiit  to  mort- 
gage, and  the  i-iglit  to  build  from  i'ortland  to 
I'uget  Sound  as  well  as  I'csisting  the  rej)eated 
attacks  upon  the  land  grant.  Inasnuich  as  sec- 
tion 10  of  the  original  cliarrer  prohiitited  the 
company  from  making  any  mortgage  or  issu- 
ing any  l)ouds,  without  which  it  would  be  im- 
possible tit  construct  such  a  roail.  Mr.  ("antield 
went  in  the  winter  of  18tiS<V.t  to  Washington, 
and  bv  the  assistance  of  Senator  Kdmunds.  of 
Vermont,  and  others,  got  an  amendment  to 
the  charter  passed,  authorizing  the  company 
to  issue  bonds  and  secure  the  same  liy  moi't- 
gage,  for  the  pur[)ose  of  raising  fuiuls  to 
build  the  railroad.  At  the  extra  session  of 
Congress  i-alled  by  rresident  (irant  in 
^[arcli,  18»>it.  foi-  one  nmnth.  he  also  got 
throuiih      :i   act  extt'iidiui--  the  Itranch   line 


from  Portland  to  Puget  Sound,  upon  wh;, 
was  the  first  iron  laid  l)y  the  company,  win, 
has  )»roved  to  be  an  important  link  in  : 
chain,  coniu'cting,  as  it  does,  Oregon  ai 
Washington  Territory. 

'I UK  cu ai:;kk  almost  lost  twick. 

I'ut  for  ^fr.  Canfield's  vigilance  the  (mi 
])any  would  liave  lost  its  charter  in  IStiti.  an 
again  in   ISOs.     The  jealousy  of  the  I'nid 
Pacific,  which  by  the  aid  of  the  Governnirii 
subsidy  had  been  constructed,  as  well  astiin 
of  the  Southern  J'acific,  developed   a  stron. 
indication  that  it  would  require  consideralii 
work  at  Washington  to  save  tlie  life  of  tli' 
infant  Xorthern    I'acitic.     They  would  w- 
consent  to  an  extension  of  over  two  year- 
while  it  should  have  been  ten  years  for  siu  i 
an  enterprise.     Upon  the  first   o|>portunit\ 
which  soon  came  up,  Col.  Thomas  A.  Scdi' 
an   old    friend,   who   was   interested  in  tli' 
Southern  I'acific,  had  gotten  his  bill  repovtci 
by  the  railroad  committee,  and  all   ready  ii 
bring  up  in  the  House  for  an  extension  i' 
his  charter  on  the  next    Monday  morning.  ;i- 
soon  as  the  House  sliould  lie  called  to  ordrr 
l)e'  're    many   of  the   members   should    i:' 
thei-e,  except  his  own   friends,  who   undci 
stood  what  was  to  be  done. 

Ml'.  Canlield  went  to  liim  and  wanted  hin 
to  allow  a  short  section  to  be  adtled  to  liisbil: 
extending  the  time  of  the  Xorthern  Pacili'. 
He  would  not  consent,  but  said,  '•  Pass  min, 
first  and  then  I  will  have  my  friends  tak' 
hold  and  jiass  yours."  AVliile  friends  of  tli' 
Northern  Pacific  would  and  did  vote  for  his. 
they  could  not  rely  upon  his  Southern  nii'i! 
to  go  for  a  Northern  I'oute — and  ilared  ii" 
try  the  experiment.  After  Congress  ail 
journed  on  Saturday,  Mr.  Canfiehl  wc!' 
over  to  ^Ir.  Stevens,  better  known  in  tlio- 
days  as  " Uncle  Thad  "*  (who,  by  the  wav. 
with  Si'uator  .Tacol)  Howard,  of  Michigan, 
the  chairman  of  the  Pacific  Ilailroad  com- 
mittee   in    the  Senate,  known   as  "  Hone-: 


THOMAS  //.  CAXriELl). 


iind.  upon  wlii, 
company,  wiih 
'tiint  link  in  • 
i)es,    Oregon  ai. 


OST  TWICi:. 

fj'ilanco  tiu'  ((Hi 

rtorin  18<it!,  ait 

sy  of  tlie  Uiiin! 

the  GoverniiH'i 

■d.  as  well  astii,, 

^■eloped   a  stini'. 

aire  considciaM' 

e  the  life  of  tii 

They   would   in 

over  two  yoai- 

en  years  for  suei 

irst   opportunity 

rhonias  A.  Scni' 

nterested  in  \\\< 

1  his  bill  reportii 

and  all   ready  ti 

an  extension  n 

ixlav  inornin<;'.  n- 

e  called  to  order. 

ii)ei's   should   gi' 

nds.  w!io   undi'i 

I  and  wanted  liii: 
.'added  to  hishili 
S'ovthei'n  Paeilir 
said.  ••  Pass  niiii' 

my  friends  tak' 
ile  friends  of  tli' 

did  vote  for  iii>. 
is  Soutiiern  men 
— and  dared  im' 
ter  Congress  \\<\ 
Canlield  won' 
■  known  in  thos. 
ho.  In-  the  wa\. 
i'<I.  of  Michigan. 
L'  Railroad  com- 
\v!i   as   ''  Ifonov 


Jake,"  WiM'c  lioth  natives  of  \'ern)ont.  the 
former  from  Peacliain.  in  Caledonia  county, 
and  the  latter  fi'om  Shaflsbury,  I'ennington 
county,  and  were  both  wai'iii  iVicnds  oftlie 
Northern  i'acilic).  and  told  liiiii  his  interview 
with  Colon.'!  Scott.  -Ila!  ha!"  said  lie. 
"don't  be  troubled.  1  will  take  care  of 
Thomas  A.  Voii  see  Speaker  Colfax  and 
tell  him  I  want  to  be  recognizee!  Monday 
mornii)!;'  wlien  Thomas'  bill  is  called  up." 

Monday  morning  came.  As  soon  as  the 
speaker's  gave!  fell.  Scott's  man  called  up  his 
bill  and  at  once  the  shrill  voice  of  "  Uncle 
Thad"  was  heard.  "Mr.  Speaker.  1  otfer  the 
following  amendment,  which  the  clerk  will 
please  read  -"and  be  it  further  rchoKed. 
that  the  time  for  commencing  and  completinii' 
the  Korthern  Pacilic  railroad  and  all  its  sev- 
eral sections  is  extended  I'o)'  the  term  of  two 
years." '' 

No  onedarcnl  oppose  Uncle  Thail. 

"Those  in  favor  of  the  amendment,"  said 
the  S|>eaker.  ''will  say  iiye,  and  those  op[)osed, 
no;  the  ayes  have  it,  and  the  amendment  is 
adoptetl.  TIkjso  in  favor  of  the  bill  as 
amendiv!  will  say  aye:  opposed  will  sav  no; 
the  bill  is  passed."  There  Wiis  lutt  an  o])po- 
sition  V(/te.  and  all  was  done  (piicker  than  this 
is  written.  Thus  the  cliild's  life  was  pro- 
longed t  wo  years,  until  Jiily  2,  iSi'.s.  Had 
it  not  l)een  for  this  maneuvering  and  watch- 
fulnes.s.  it  is  nu*st  likely  the  cluirter  would 
have  expired,  as  it  was  impossible  in  the 
state  of  feeliiiiv  then  I'.xisting  to  have  got 
enough  Southern  meml)<>rs  with  the  friends 
of  the  Northern  Pacilic  to  have  passed  it. 

At  this  time.  also,  a  bill  was  liefore  Con- 
jffess  asking  the  guaraiiteeof  interest  on  the 
bonds  of  the  couiDany,  as  it  had  biH'ome 
satisliecl  that  it  was  useless  to  attempt  to  get 
a  subsidy,  as  the  Union  Pacilic  iiad  clone. 
Tosliow  the  great  benetits  to  the  nation. ^Ir. 
Canlield  I'onferred  with  General  Grant. 
General  Meigs,  (piartei'inasler-general.  (-icn- 
eral  Ingalls  and  other  oHicers  of    the  army. 


who  had  been  stationed  many  years 
on  the  Northwestern  coast,  and  jirocured 
their  views  with  respect  to  the  Northern 
Paciiic,  all  of  whom,  in  every  asjiect  of  the 
case,  deemed  it  a  mattei-  of  great  ini})()rt- 
anc(^  to  the  nation.  General  Meigs,  in  his 
communication,  says;  ''The  construction  of 
the  road  will  make  the  now  wild  and  waste 
regions  through  which  it  is  to  pass  c(Miters 
of  national  wealth  and  |irodiiction  and  mili- 
tary strength,  and  from  the  mountains 
themselves  a  hardy  population  will  pour 
down  upon  the  coast,  at  every  hostile  demon- 
stration. A  guarantee  of  ti  lixed  rate  of 
interest  upon  the  cost  of  cunstruction  is  a 
mode  of  assistance  to  their  great  enterprises, 
now  common  in  the  heavily  taxed  countries 
of  Europe.  Jf  those  gov<'i'ninents.  burdened 
with  the  immense  annual  expenditure  of 
standing  armies,  idmost  as  large  in  times  of 
peace  as  wt^  have  been  C(»mpelle<l  to  support 
in  time  of  war,  find  it  in  the  interest  of  their 
revenues  thus  to  aid  free  trtivel  and  trans- 
jiort  through  countries  already  ])rovided 
with  navigable  rivers  and  excellent  wagon 
roads,  we  may  conliilently  assume  that  our 
country  will  tind  ami)le  reward  for  any  such 
expenditure  in  opening  \\\>  a  highway  for 
fratern.al  intercourse  between  our  older  com- 
munities on  the  Atlantic  and  the  rising 
.settltMuents  on  the  Pacilic  coast;  a  highway 
to  which  the  inevitable  laws  of  comnu'rce 
will  attract  the  trade  of  the  East.  The 
trade  of  China.  Japan  and  India,  a  trade 
along  whose  slow  and  iniinfiil  track,  when  it 
was  conducted  ity  Iteasts  of  burden  and  by 
(jars  and  sails  instead  of  the  iron  horse  and 
ocean  steamship,  great  cities  sjn'ung  up  in 
the  desert  sands  of  Asia  and  on  the  coast  of 
the  ^lediterraneaii.  ]iai)ylon.  Nineveh.  Pal- 
myra. I'.agdad.  Damascus.  Constantinoitle, 
Alexandria.  Tlome.  Venice.  (Geneva  and 
London,  the  outgrowths  of  this  trade  in  for- 
mer centuries.  The  lines  of  Pacilic  railway 
will   found  such  cities  in  the  new.  healthfid 


p'^7n:i,) 


28 


n/OMAS  //.  CAX FIELD. 


iind  inviting  regions  tlirougli  wliich  its  east- 
ern How  is  destined  to  enrieii  the  world  : 
and  Oregon  as  well  as  Calit'ornia,  ^lontana 
as  well  as  Utah,  will  hereafter  have  their 
San  Franciscos,  Chieagos,  St.  Louises,  Cin- 
cinnatis,  great  emporia  of  an  internal  com- 
merce hei'etofore  unknown,  as  well  as  the 
worUl-encircling  commerce  of  the  Indies."' 

General  Grant  sent  the  following: 

lleii(hi>inrters  Ariniin  of  tin-   Cnitfil  Sfafis  ) 
April  .''/,  isi:i;.      i 

Tlie  ronslnicMion  of  ii  railroad  l)y  tlie  proposud 
route  would  liu  of  very  great  iidviiiiliige  to  tlie  (Jovern- 
meiit  pecuniarily  by  saving  us  the  cost  of  transportation 
to  supply  triiops  whose  presence  in  tliecountry  through 
wliicli  it  is  proposed  to  pa.'s  is  made  necessary  liy  the 
great  amount  of  emigration  to  the  gold-bearing  regions 
of  the  Rocky  mountains.  In  my  opinion,  too,  the 
United  States  would  receive  an  additional  pecuniary 
benefit  in  the  construction  of  this  road  by  the  settle- 
ment it  would  induce  along  the  line  of  the  road,  and 
conse((iiently  the  less  number  of  troops  necessary  to 
secure  order  and  safety.  1  low  far  these  benefits  should 
be  compensated  by  the  General  Government  beyond  the 
grant  of  lands  already  awardul  by  Congress,  1  would 
not  pretend  to  say.  I  would  merely  give  it  as  my 
opinion  that  the  enterprise  of  constructing  the  Northern 
Pacific  Railroad  is  one  well  worth  fostering  by  the 
(Jeneral  (tovernment,  and  that  such  aid  could  well  be 
afforded  as  would  insure  the  early  prosecution  of  the 
work.  f.  S.  GitAXT, 

Lientenant-General. 

Ent  two  years  soon  passed  awiiy,  and 
meanwhile  the  Northern  Pacific  began  to 
attriict  considerable  attention,  as  well  as  to 
increase  the  hostility  of  the  L'nion  and 
Southern  Pacific  towards  it.  Jiut  after 
about  four  months'  hard  work  another  bill 
was  j)iissed  by  the  House  and  concurred 
in  by  the  Senate  on  tiie  2Stli  day  of  June, 
while  the  charter  expired  on  the  2d  day  of 
July.  Tiie  \)\\\  had  been  returned  from  the 
Senate,  reported  to  the  House,  engrosseil  and 
passe''  er  to  the  committee  on  enrolled 
bills,  of  which  Mr.  Holiniin  was  chairman, 
to  be  taken  to  the  President  for  his  sioniitui-e. 
^Iv.  Canlield,  iinding  the  bill  did  not  reach 
the  White  House  as  it  should,  and  as  there 


was  but  a  day  or  two  left,  became  very  ini 
ous  and  uneasy,  as  well  Jis  imableto  find  M 
Holmtin,  who  had  taken  ciiiirge  of  the  hi 
In  this  emergency  he  consulted  with  Mi'>s! 
Windom  and  AVoodbridge,  mend)ers  of  i; 
Hotise,  and  they  went  to  the  speaker.  M 
Colfa.x,  who  ordered  the  desk  of  Mr.  Ili 
man  to  be  o[)ened,  and  there  found  the  li; 
and  gave  it  to  another  member  of  the  coi 
mittee  to  take  to  the  AVhite  House.  It 
supposed  Mr.  Holman  was  sick  somewln 
and  had  forgotten  al)out  it.  I>ut  for  iL 
watchfulness  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Can  lie/ 
the  Northern  J'ticific  charter  might  liii 
slept  the  sleep  of  death  in  the  desk  of  : 
w(»i'st  enemy  in  the  House.  It  //v?.v  .s////. 
hi/ till'  Pn'KlihmtJnh/  /.st, '>»/■>/  one  iJnij  ' 
fore  the  eharter  i jp'i red . 

To  most  people  it  Avotdd  seem  that  a 
enterprise  which  was  to  confer  so  iiiiK 
bcnelit  upon  mankind — wliich  was  really  • 
(lispen.se  with  the  necessity  of  an  army  ; 
keep  the  Indian  tribes  in  subjection — wliii 
was  to  open  up  the  millions  of  acres  of  wii 
lands  of  the  Government,  furnishing  a  www 
ket  for  them,  which  were  heretofore  worti 
less,  to  industrious  and  hardy  settlers  iir 
therein-  increase  the  wealth  of  the  niitio: 
wouhl  receive  attention  from  Congn^ss  m 
an  act  to  facilitate  its  o})eration  be  pass. 
without  delay.  Put  such  is  not  the  ca>' 
Opposition  arises  in  unexpected  (juarifi- 
secret  combinations  are  formed;  jealousies; ' 
sectional  interests  turn  up  which  ought  ti' 
to  have  any  bearing  ujion  such  an  importai 
subject,  all  of  which  would  w  quire  cln- 
attention  in  order  to  carry  through  legisi, 
tion  of  even  meritorious  charticter.  Tiu 
the  ways  of  Congress  "  are  past  finding  oiil. 
especially  to  the  uninitiated. 

FINANCIAL  AKRANtJKMKNT  WITH  .lAV  CoOKK  >v  i 

Mr.  Canfield'was' one  of  the  commitlc 
consisting  of  Messrs.  Smith,  Ogden  and  Pic 
who  went   to  Ogontz,  Mr.  Cooke's  couiiti; 


J 


■f 


T//OMAS  II.  CAN  I- 1  El. n. 


)ecame  veryinr 
maI)leto  lind  M 
urge  (tf  tilt'  li; 
Ited  with  ^I(  SSI 

monibei's  ol  i; 
lio  si)eaker.  M 
esk  of  Mr.  11. 
•e  found  the  li. 
ilierof  the  cdi 
ito    Ilotise.     It 

sick  soniowlic 
it.  Ikit  for  li 
of  Mr.  Can  lie/ 
rter  might    li;i 

the   desk  of  r 

It     H'llS    .tn//,. 
Dihj     i»IC     ihlij    ' 

Id  seem  that  ;i 
confer  S(j  iiiui 
lich  was  really ; 
y  of  an  aniiv  ; 
subjection — wliii 
s  of  acres  of  wi! 
furnishing-  a  ni;i 
heretofoi-e  woii; 
ardy  settjers  ar 
th  of  the  natin: 
rom  Congress  ai 
oration  be  jnissi 
is  not  the  cay 
xpected  (juariii- 
ned;  jealousies;!' 
which  ought  ii' 
■iuch  an  importai 
uld  w  quire  el"- 
K  through  legisi, 
character.  Tnii 
past  Hnding  out. 
d. 

rn  .lAY  COOKK  A  1 

f   the  committr 

I,  Ogden  and  Kic- 

Cooke's  count  1 


residence,  near  T'hiladflphia,  in  Afay,  ISH!), 
to  make  the  arrangement  with  .liiy  Cooke  ifc 
Co.  to  negotiate  the  bonds  of  the  Northern 
Pacific  Railroad .  After  si)ending  a  ^\\\\  or 
two  and  linally  agreeing  to  the  termsof  the 
arranj'emenl,  just  as  the  conunillee  were 
leaving,  supposing  all  things  were  done,  Mr. 
Cooke  propose*!  a  cijndilion.  as  a  postscript 
to  the  airreenient.  that  the  agreement  should 
not  be  binding  upon  him.  ludess  ity  a  ])ei'- 
sonal  examination  by  himself  or  his  agents,  of 
the  whole  line,  it  should  be  shown  to  bi' equal 
toallthe  representations  as  to  res^turces  and 
practicability  which  tht;  directors  ha<l  made. 
This  Mr.  Cooke  insisted  upon,  even  if  it 
should  take  a  year  to  do  it. 

Mr.  Canlield  was  siivx  much  annoyed  by 
this  unexpected  demand  of  Mr.  Cooke,  fear- 
ing that  it  would  so  delay  the  commencement 
of  construction,  which  had  already  been 
made  the  basis  <>f  objections  before  Con- 
gress to  any  further  extension  of  charter. 
and  he  reiiionsti'atetl  with  Mr.  Cooke,  ex- 
plaining to  him  the  dangers  of  further 
delay. 

Mr.  Cooke  replied,  '•  that  so  far  as  he  was 
concerned,  he  was  entirely  satislied  with  all 
the  directois  had  i-epi-esented  aiiout  the 
practicability  of  the  line,  the  wonderfid 
resources  of  the  country  througii  which  it  was 
to  pass  and  the  great  bi'iielit  to  the  nation. 
but  that  he  had  to  engage  baid^ers  all 
over  t  his  country  and  Europe  to  assist  him 
in  phu'ing  the  bonds,  that  capital  was  timid, 
that  tliDiisands  of  ijuestioMs  would  arise 
which  wc  cduld  iKit  anticipate,  aiul  tliat  lo 
answiT  them  satisfactorily  it  w  as  neccssar\' 
ho  should  be  able  to  say  that,  his  own  ex|)erts 
had  examined  tiie  whole  country,  and  that 
his  information  was  based  upon  their  exam- 
inations and  not  upiui  the  reports  of  any 
one  ideiitilied  with  the  road,  and  that  in  the 
long  run  it  would  lie  seen  his  condition 
would  be  for  the  i)eiieHt  of  the  entei'iirise." 

Mr.  Ogden.  i)erceivingthat  Mr.  Canlield  was 


annoyed,  called  iiim  one  side  and  said:  "  I 
think  you  are  a  little  vexed  witii  Mr.  Cooke." 

"  '\'es.  I  confess,"  said  Mr.  Can  field,  "I  am  a 
little  mad,  after  we  have  spent  so  much  time 
to  make  an  agreement,  now  n(jt  oidy  to  liave 
it  upset,  but  to  iiave  all  our  |»lans  endangered 
l)efore  Congress." 

"  But.  ■  saiil  Mr.  Ogden.  "I  have  been  two 
years  endeavoring  to  negotiate  a  loan  for  the 
Northwestern  Itailroad  of  only  ^4,00il,(i0(» 
secured  u})on  a  road  of  l.oOO  miles,  now  in 
operation  through  a  rich  and  prosperous 
country,  while  this  num  proposes  to  nego- 
tiate slo().0(H),0()o  upon  a  line  through  an 
unknown  country  and  not  a  bar  of  iron  laid 
yet.  You  must  remend»er  no  negotia- 
tion of  such  a  magnitude  has  ever  been 
undertaken  in  the  history  of  the  world  under 
such  circumstances,  and  while  he  nuiy  not  i)e 
able  or  live  lo  entirely  cou)i)lete  it,  yet  if 
he  only  negotiates  part  of  it.  it  will  put  us 
on  our  feet  and  ultimately  secure  the  con- 
struction of  the  Northern  I'acitic  Railroad, 
and  we  can  not  afford  now  to  break  up  oui- 
contract  with  him." 

"AVell,"  said  ^\v.  Canlield.  "I  apin-eciate 
as  full'-  as  you  do  the  force  of  your 
argument,  as  well  as  the  importance  Mr. 
Ciioke  attaches  to  this  proposed  exph>ration 
which  will  delay  us  six  months  more,  but  I 
accede  to  it.  and  now  let  us  get  about  it  at 
once  and  l;e  done  with  it  befoie  Congiess 
meets  in  December." 

The  wisdom  of  Mr.  Ogden's  theory  has 
heen  demonstrated  siiu'c  in  the  i'ai>ing  of 
money  to  build  the  road. 

One  can  well  ima<!ine  whvaman  of  action 
like  Mr.  Canlield  slnmld  have  been  aiuioyed 
at  a  (h.'lay  (jf  six  months  more  in  th<>  woi'k, 
after  he  had  bt>en  for  yeai-s  struggling  with 
opposition,  rebiiir  and  dilficidtiesof  all  kinds, 
in  iti'der  to  reach  a  point,  where,  at  least,  he 
had  hoped  to  show  to  the  world  by  actual 
work  of  consti'uction  that  the  Noilhern 
Pacific  was  somethin<>-  besides  a  railroad  on 


T 


30 


THOMAS   II.  CAXIII-.l.D. 


paper.  Mr.  Canfield  wms  scUrtcd  Ity  the 
directors  to  tukecliargeuf  ^[r.  ('(Kikesi)iirty. 
consisting  (tf  AV.  Miliior  Roberts,  eiiginet'r: 
Samuel  "Wilkeson.  since  Secretary  of  the 
(onipany.  AVilliani  G.  ^[ooreliead.  .Ji'..  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Claxlon,  and  William  Jolinsnn,  a 
son  of  the  chief  engineei',  which  was  to  meet 
iiini  at  Salt  hake  City  on  the  14th  of  .Imie. 
18(il». 

KXI'LOKATION    InU  THK   LINK  IN  WAsni.\(.Tc  i.\  ANI> 
.MONTA NA  TKKKnOHl  KS. 

From  there  they  went  l»y  the  Centi-al 
Pacilic  Railroad  to  Sacramento  and  Marys- 
ville,  and  then  by  stage  thi'fmgh  Northei'n 
California  and  Oi'egon,  700  miles,  toP<trtland, 
Ort'iion.  arriving  there  on  the  4th  of  Julv, 
InOI'.  From  there  they  went  to  I'nget  Sound 
— most  of  the  way  by  stage— procured  a 
small  steamer,  making  a  thorough  examina- 
tion of  all  the  l)ays,  towns  and  harbors,  and, 
returning  to  I'ortland,  they  went  by  steamer 
up  the  Columbia  river  to  Walla  Walla,  which 
was  about  the  end  of  all  settlements,  and 
where  for  some  years  had  been  a  Govern- 
ment military  post.  They  were  now  about 
to  enter  u(ton  an  unknown  country,  where 
there  were  only  scattering  settlers  for  a  short 
distance  ;  no  roads,  no  bridges  nor  any  means 
of  subsistence,  AVhen  on  Ruget  Sound  an 
amusing  incident  occurred.  George  Francis 
Train,  who  was  at  Portland  to  deliver  the 
Fourth  of  July  oration,  accompanied  the 
party  to  the  Sound,  and  when  at  AVhatcom, 
on  I'ellingham  Bay,  he  telegraphed  to  the 
mayor  of  A'ietoria,  British  Columbia,  that  he 
would  be  there  the  next  day  to  deliver  a  lec- 
ture, subject.  "The  downfall  of  England!  get 
out  your  guns  I ""  The  steamer  with  the  party 
arrived  at  Victoria  about  0  o'clock  the  next 
morning  and  anchored.  AVhen  daylight  came 
a  man-of-war  lay  oflf-side  a  few  rods  with  lier 
"guns  out"  and  shotted,  ready  for  action. 
The  party  were  not  allowed  to  land,  and 
it  was  with   much    diliiculty  Mr.   Canfield, 


with  the  aid  of  the  American  cons:i 
persuaded  the  otHcials  of  A'ictoria  tli;; 
All'.  Train  was  a  hai'udess  num,  and  tin 
his  message  was  intended  as  a  joke,  ll 
poor  Train  had  insulted  .lohnny  Bull  ;i 
was  not  ])ermitte<l  to  go  ashore  after  all. 

A   noKSKllACK   i:XI'Kl>ni(i.\   A<'kOSS  Tin; 
MolNTAINS. 

At  AValla  Walla  Mr.  Canfield  fitted  out 
horseback  expedition,  consisting  of  thirtfi 
saddle  and  pack-horses,  and  as  tiiere  were  1 
settlements    of    any    consecpience     bevdi 
AValla  AValla.  was  obliged  to  take  provisi(j; 
and  cooking  utensils  upon  the  backs  of  h 
horses,  sufficient   to   last    the    party   thin 
days,  which  it    was  estimated   would   brii. 
them  to  Helena,  Ar<mtana,  500  miles.     Tin 
supplies  were  confined    to  tea,  coffee,  lian 
flour,  butter,  a  few  canned   goods,  the  liiii. 
distance    preventing   the  transportation  ■ 
vetretables  or  other  kinds  of  meat.     Evit 
thing  had   to   be    in    the    most    condeiisi 
foi-m.     They  left  Walla  AValla  on  the  20th  c 
July.  18(59,  with  tiie  thermometer  llOdegiv. 
above   zero,   making  about  twenty  milts 
day,  13'ing  upon  the  ground  at  night  within; 
any   tent   to  cover  them.     They  went  fmn 
AValla  AValla  to  Kentuck's  Crossing  on  ti/ 
Snake   river;   thence   to  Hangman's  crct'l; 
Schnebley's  bri(lge,near  where  Spokane  Fiili 
now  is — then  but  one  log  cabin.     From  tiki 
to  Pend  d'Oreille  Lake.    Here  they  fouiitl ; 
small  steamer,  "  A[ary  Moody,"  which  Iw 
been    used    in    former   mining    days,    Inr 
now   dismantled.      To    save   a    journey  > 
several    days    arountl    the    lake,    they   pi' 
the  enoine  together  and   took  their  horsi 
across    tiie    lake    on    the    steamer    to   tli 
foot  of  Cabinet  llapids.     Here  they  discii 
barked,    and,  following  Clark's  fork  of  tli 
Columbia     river,     crossing     many     of    tli 
mountain   ranges  at  an  altitude  of  sevini 
thousand    feet  to   Thompson's  Falls,  Hciv 
Plains,  along  the  Flathead  and  Jocko  rivcrs 


:;& 


77/i>.\/.IS  //.  (■  I. V ///:/./>. 


31 


IKTlCiin      COIlsli 

Victoria    lli;i 

iiiiin,  and    tin 

IS  a  joke.     II 

»linny    iiiill  n; 

r>re  after  all. 

i   .\n{(l.<S  Till. 


ield  litted  out 

^g  of  tliiitii 

IS  tliere  weiv  i. 

qiience     l)evur 

)  take  pi'ovisid: 

he  backs  of  li 

10    party   tliiii 

ed   would   l)iii. 

00  miles.     Tlif 

:ea,  coffee,  liim 

goods,  the  Idii. 

(•aiisi)oi'tatioii  i 

»f  meat.     Even 

most    condense' 

lUaon  the2otli^ 

neter  llOdegivi 

,  twenty  miles 

at  night  witliei; 

They  went  fnii: 

Crossing  on  ti- 

angman's  ci'eel; 

Bve  Spokane  Fall' 

l)in.     From  tliei 

ere  they  fouiul 

od\',"  which  lia 

ning    da\'s,    Im 

e   a    journey  ' 

lake,   they   ji^ 

ook  their  liorsi 

steamer    to   tli 

lere  they  diseii 

irk's  fork  of  th 

many    of    tli- 

titude  of  Severn 

:m's  Falls,  IIciv 

md  Jocko  riv<!> 


through     the     Ciniincii    |)clile    to    Missoul;!. 

thence  alt •iii;' the    lilackfitot   to  (Jold    el k  ; 

now  liejii'  (iiirnsoii's.  where  tiiev  liKHle  a 
detour  tliroiiuh  llie  heer  I.imI^jc  valley  to 
examine  the  Deer  Lodge  piiMS.  They  went 
over  to  the  Wisdom  iiver.  oiu-  i>r'  tin-  liiii- 
Utaries  ul  tin-  .li'tlVi'SDii.  iiv  very  eioy  L'rade. 
and  which  they  found  to  lie  the  easiest  pass 
in  the  iiioiiutaiiis.  inid  which  yiv.  ("anlield 
advised  asiiie  true  route  for  t  he  roadlotake, 
following,  niter  crossing  the  mountains,  the 
waters  of  tlie  .Ictfersou  to  (Jallatin  valley, 
and  which  he  still  helieves  will  l)e  the  route 
sooner  or  later  ndopted  for  t  lie  through  i»usi- 
ness ;  nlthough  in  order  to  reach  Helena,  the 
capital  of  Moiiliina,  the  road  hns  been  htiilt 
through  the  Mullan  pass.  There  were  hut 
two  or  three  miners' slianlies  then  at  Silver 
Bow,  ami  the  city  of  Jhitte.  now  with  iio.oOd 
people,  then  '"  was  not. "'  Returning  to  fiold 
creek,  the  first  [ilace  gold  was  discovered  in 
Montana,  they  crossed  the  Rocky  mountains 
to  Helena  at  Mulliurs  ])iiss,  where  the  rail- 
road tunnel  now  is.  Here  they  disi»anded 
their  horses  and  took  stages  to  Fort  15en- 
ton.  exiimining  (.'adotte's  pass  on  their 
return,  which  was  the  puss  Governor  Stevens 
and  his  expedition  crosse<l  in  18,")4. 

AN   IMUAN  onURKAK. 

jHere  they  met  an  Indian  outbreak,  in 
which  Miileolm  Clark,  a  graduate  of  AVest 
Point  and  for  nuuiy  ye;irs  a  (Toveininent 
agent,  met  his  death,  whic^h  threatened  much 
danger,  tiieir  horses  being  stolen  from  them 
by  the  Indians  at  Dearborn  river.  Soon 
after  leaving  Helena,  Mr.  ('anlield  received 
a  messiige  from  Cadotte,  then  at  F'ort  Hen- 
ton,  thill  ■•  North  Star,"  a  celebralecl  chief 
with  a  liiind  iA  .")ti  warriors  was  on  his  way 
South  and  would  be  at  I)eari)orn  river  on 
the  next  day  and  tliat  he  had  better  look  out 
for  him,  and  it  was  [iroiialily  his  band  which 
stole  his  horses.  It  was  a  critical  lime,  as 
General  I  )e  Troljriand.  who  was  in  command 


at  F(»rt  Shaw,  some  thirty  miles  beyond, 
wiiere  they  arrived  jit  eight  o'clock  that 
evening,  refused  to  give  them  any  assistance. 
It  was  very  important  that  Cadotte  pa.ss 
should  he  examined,  inasmuch  as  it  woidd 
pro! la Illy  he  the  place  of  crossing  the  main 
range  of  the  Rockies,  if  the  road  went  noi'th 
of  the  Missouri  rivei-.  Mr.  Canlield,  at  Fort 
I'.enton.  eiuleavored  to  get  Cadotte  himself 
to  pilot  them  over  it,  as  he  had  done  General 
Stevens  in  185-f,  i)ut  his  fear  of  being  jiiassa- 
cred  by  the  Indians  made  him  refuse  abso- 
lutely toacccunpany  them,  however  great  the 
iiitlucements  offered.  The  probai)lo  reason 
why  Catlotte  would  not  accompany  the  party 
was,  that  the  Indians  are  particularly  hostile 
to  half-breeds  who  act  as  guides  to  the 
whites  through  thm'r  country,  and  will  shoot 
them  at  sight,  and  hence,  as  there  was  an 
uprising  of  the  Indians,  he  dare  not  risk  his 
life  as  a  guide  for  the  party,  aiul  perhaps  it 
was  as  well  he  did  not,  as  it  might  have 
caused  the  Indians  to  attack  them.  Mr. 
Canfield  then  returned  to  Fort  Shaw,  and, 
after  much  urging,  induced  General  De 
Troi)riand  to  give  them  an  escort  of  six  men, 
really  of  no  use  in  case  of  an  attack.  F'or- 
tunately,  however,  none  was  made,  and  they 
crossed  the  pass  over  the  mountains  and 
back,  and  returned  to  Helena  without  injury. 
At  Ileleiui  and  Deer  Lodge  he  was  warmly 
welcomed  by  the  citizens,  as  being  the  first 
director  of  a  railroad  who  had  ever  visited 
Montana,  and  to  them  the  harbinyer  of 
lirighter  days.  F'rom  Helena  they  went  to 
iJozeuuin.  crossing  at  the  Three  Forks,  where 
Madison,  Gallatin  and  Jefferson  rivers  meet, 
and  form  the  Missouri. 

HROlHiUT    TO    A    STOI*    HY    "  srrTIXO   UL'I.L."' 

Here  a  consultation  was  held  with  Colonel 
Rrackett,  in  comnumd  of  Fort  F]llis,  near 
Hozeman,  General  Sully,  the  old  Indian 
lighter,  and  General  De  Trobriand,  who 
had    in    the   meantime    come    down    from 


1         ! 


33 


T//OMAS   II.  CAM II: in. 


Fort  SliiHV,  ns  to  the  expediency  of  coii- 
tiiniin;,^  their  exi)e(litioii  down  tlie  Vellow- 
stoiio  river  to  Fort  I'liford,  or  across 
from  (tlendive  to  where  liismarek  now  is 
JocJited.  Althoiij^li  tlie  Crow  Indiiins,  whose 
reservation  was  altoiit  I'no  miles  «*ast.  were 
friendly,  yet  Sittin<^  i'.idl  and  his  hand  of 
Sioux,  who  were  eneaniped  aliout  tlie  Hig 
Iloi-n,  Tongue  and  Powdei-  rivers,  was  not 
friendly.  l>ut  U])i>n  the  other  hand,  lios- 
tile.  The  otficers  decided  tiiat  it  would 
he  simply  impossiltle  for  tiiem,  with  all  the 
troops  at  their  command,  to  escf)rt  the 
party  tiirougii  tiie  Sioux  teri'itory  safely, 
and  advised  Mr.  CaiiHeld  to  ahandon 
the  expedition  without  going  any  fui'ther 
east.  There  still  were  the  JJozeman  moun- 
tains, whii'li  had  wo\  l)een  examined,  ai\d 
which  it  would  he  necessary  to  cross  in  case 
the  Yellowstone  line  siiould  he  adoi)ted, 
and  Ml'.  Cantield  determined  at  all  hazards  to 
cross  them  to  the  Yellowstone,  if  no  further. 
lie  accordingly  raised  a  few  men  and  horses 
at  liozeman,  and  went  over  the  pass  to  a 
point  where  Livingston  now  is.  Here  they 
remained  for  a  day.  and  as  the  rest  of  tiie 
route  to  the  east  was  i»y  the  valley,  t!ie  Yel- 
l<nvstone,  where  there  were  no  serious 
ohstacles,  and  as  all  that  part  hetween  here 
and  the  Pacific  ocean,  ahout  one  thousand 
miles,  where  weri'  all  the  mountains  and 
difficult  ])arts  of  the  roule  had  hcen 
carefully  examined,  and  passes  found  which 
would  admit  of  a  railroad  ix'ing  l)uilt. 
the  representatives  of  ^fr.  Cooke  decided 
their  mission  had  practically  heeii  accom- 
plished; and  assuring  ]\Ir.  Caiilield  that  their 
declining  to  go  down  the  Yellowstone  Val- 
ley would  not  aifect  the  suhstance  of  tlxMr 
re]>ort,  he  returned  to  J'ozcman.  Mr.  Can- 
field  then  turned  Itack  with  his  party,  went 
across  the  country  with  a  mule  team  l.")0 
miles  to  Virginia  fity,  ami  took  stages  to 
Corrinne,  and  then  hy  the  Cnioii  Pacitic  Kail- 
road  to  the  East,  reaching:    Xew  York   after 


nn  absence  of  ahout  three  months.  Duiin. 
the  trip  the  engineers  had  heen  very  retictii 
as  to  their  views  of  the  route,  wliicii  cre.ii. 
no  little  anxiety  on  tlie  part  of  Mr.  Canliili 
lest  they  might  not  make  a  favoral)le  re|Mii 
This  was  a  very  important  matter  toll 
company  at  this  time,  iis  u{)on  the  repoii  i 
these  men  Mr.  Cooke  would  I'urnisli  ti 
money  or  not  to  go  on  with  the  conslini 
tion.  ^fi'.  Canlleld  felt  that  a  great  respmiv 
hility  was  |)laced  upon  him,  as  in  the  ewi 
of  his  not  showing  them  a  good  route.  >ii( 
as  would  he  satisfactory,  the  whole  arraiii:i 
ment  witii  Mr.  Cooke  must  he  ahandoned.a 
well  as  the  construction  of  the  road.  Mn 
!N[r.  Canfield,  iiy  his  study  of  the  route  i 
former  years — from  the  information  he  liu' 
ohtained  from  prominent  and  intelligci; 
settlers  in  Oregon.  AVashington  and  Aim 
tana,  and  otticers  of  the  army — was  enahlf 
to  conduct  the  exjiedition  through  a  favni 
ahle  nmte.  which  suhse(iuent  surveys  li:i\ 
contirmed,  and  the  railroad  from  the  Colim 
hia  river  to  the  Yellowstone  has  been  tlniill 
built  c)n  the  route  he  reported  and  most  i 
the  way  in  sight  of  the  very  trail  which  tii> 
party  made  in  IStl'J.  The  result  of  the  ex]" 
diti(jn  turned  out  favorably,  and  the  genik 
men  sent  <m  by  Mr.  Cooke  unanimous! 
re()orted  that  the  half  had  not  been  told  ii 
the  directors,  and  that  the  country  was  in  I';h 
far  better  than  they  had  ever  represent^' 
it  to  be. 

In  the  meantime  Mr.  Cooke's  party,  wiiii 
had  licen  sent  out  fri)m  St.  Paul  under  th' 
charge  of  Governor  Smith  and  A[r.  Ivice.  tw 
of  the  directors,  to  explore  and  examine  tl/ 
easterin  11(1  of  the  line  from  Lake  Supciii' 
to  the  Missouri  river,  had  returned  aii' 
reported  vei'y  favorably  U|)on  tlieir  p;ii! 
which  complied  fully  witli  the  conditu': 
ivip.iired  l»y  Mr.  Cooke  in  the  postscript  i 
the  agieeiiuMit.  much  to  his  satisfaction,  ;iii' 
heat  once  commenced  ne"()tiatin<i;  the  boii'lr 
and  the  work  of  construction  beyan. 


THOMAS  II.  CAXI  lEl.D. 


onths.     Diiriii. 
•n  very  i-oticti 
'.  wliicli  ciciti 
of  !Mr.  Cinillcl, 
ivoi'iihle  re|Mii 
t    lllilttlT  ti>  tl 
n  the  n'luiii   > 
lUl    I'lirnisli   ii 
tlie   coiislrii. 
I  <^reat  rcspnu- 
IS  in    tlie   cvci 
[)o(l    route.  >iii 
whole  iirraiii;. 
)('  altjuidoned,;! 
tlie   roa<l.     liii 
>f   the   route  i 
riuation  he  Im 
and     intellipr 
gton    and   ^hn 
\\ — was  ena  I  ill- 
through  a  favii; 
it   surveys  li:i\ 
"rom  the  Coliiii; 
has  been  fm.ill 
mI   and   most   > 
'  trail  wliicli  tl 
wult  of  the  e.\|i' 
and  the   geiiil' 
ke   unanini<)u>! 
ot    l)een  told  li 
untry  was  in  l:i' 
ever  represeiit' 

ke"s  party,  wiiic. 
Paul  under  tl' 
ntl  ]\[r.  Kice.  t  w 
ind  examine  ti- 
1  Lake  Supeii' 
(!  returned  an 
ipon  their  pai: 
:h  the  conditio 
he  postscrii)t  i 
satisfaction,  aii' 
iating  the  boinl? 
•n  began. 


.13 


Thus,  after  nearly  four  years  of  continuous 
struggle  Ity  the  syndicate,  they  ha<l  reached 
the  great  turning  point  of  the  commencement 
of  construction  of  their  cherished  under- 
taking. 

OBGANI/.ATIoN     oK     TUE      I.AKK      SCl'KUIOK     ANI» 
I'Ktl'T    SCUM"    Cii.Ml'ANV. 

It  was  soon  found  that  many  of  the  I'ross- 
ings  of  rivers  and  other  [daces  favoralth;  to 
the  location  of  towns  were  upon  even  sections, 
while  the  company,  under  their  grant  from 
Congress,  received  only  the  odd  ones,  an<l 
had  no  right  under  their  charter  to  buy 
lands.  In  order  to  get  f)ver  this  ditticultv 
a  company  was  formed  called  "The  Lake 
Superior  iV;  I'uget  Sountl  Company,"  of 
which  Mr.  C^anHeld  wa.s  made  president, 
which  was  empowered  to  buy  lands,  build 
boats,  and  do  most  any  kind  of  business  to 
further  the  interest  of  the  i-ailroad  company. 

In  carrying  out  the  plans  contem))lated  by 
the  Lake  Superior  &  I'uget  Sound  Com- 
pany, Mr.  Canfield  located,  platted  and  laid 
out  on  the  line  of  the  Northern  J'.icitic  Kail- 
road,  Ijetween  Lake  Superior  and  the  Red 
river,  the  towns  of  Komoka,  Kimoei-ly, 
Aitkin,  Jirainerd,  Motley,  Aldrich,  Wadena, 
Perham,  Audulxm,  Lake  Park,  Hawle}', 
Glyndon  and  Moorheail. 

In  1S7U,  when  the  only  railroad  north  or 
W08t  of  St.  Paul  was  the  one  to  Sauk 
Rapids,  Mr.  Canlleld  and  Governor  Smith 
came  up  from  there  by  team  to  old  Crow 
"Wing  and  stopped  with  old  Captain  Ueau- 
liiBU,  now  living  at  White  Earth,  which 
was  the  end  of  white  settlement  in  that 
direction.  They  then  went  up  the  Mississippi 
river  to  find  a  place  where  there  were  two 
Wgh  banks  that  the  road  could  cross  without 
the  necessity  of  a  draw-bridge,  and  selected 
the  place  wlutre  Mrainerd  now  is.  and,  at  the 
same  time,  selected  the  place  for  tlu^  shops 
also  the  station  and  headquarters.  This  was 
then  a  wilderness,  and  Mr.  Canlleld  at  once 


surveyed  the  tract  and  laid  out  what  is  tl»e 
present  city  of  J'rainerd,  and  placed  Lynum 
P.  White  in  charge  as  agent,  who  has  tilled 
the  position  ever  since,  ^Irs.  White  being  the 
first  white  woman  to  live;  in  Prainerd. 
Engineers  then  proceeded  to  locate  the  rail- 
road east  and  west  from  this  place.  The 
next  year,  when  the  track  had  been  laid  about 
eighteen  miles  west  of  lirainerd,  Mr.  (Can- 
field, in  company  with  several  directors 
of  the  I'oad  and  others,  made  a  trip  into 
Dakota,  with  Pierre  i'xjttineau  for  a  irnide, 
who  is  still  living  near  lied  Lake  Falls. 
They  had  to  carry  their  provisions  with 
tiiem,  both  for  man  and  bea.'*t.  From  the 
end  of  tlie  track  thev  passetl  I'lroujrh 
the  woods,  encamping  the  first  night  west  of 
the  Crow  Wing  river,  a  few  miles  north  of 
Aldrich,  and  the  second  night  at  Otter  Tail 
lake.  Here  they  found  a  few  huts  which 
had  been  occupied  previous  to  the  Indian 
outbreak  in  1802.  Thence  they  went  across 
the  prairie  south  of  Perham,  crossing  the 
Otter  Tail  where  the  railroad  now  does, 
also  at  Frazee  City,  then  through  woods  on 
the  banks  of  Detroit  lake,  and  camping  that 
night  on  the  banks  of  the  lake  near  where 
Detroit  now  is.  There  was  but  one  house  at 
Detroit,  and  that  a  log  one  built  by  Mr. 
Tyler.  Thence  to  Audubon,  the  next  day 
striking  Sand  Beacii  lake  where  Mr.  Pover 
now  lives  and  through  the  woods  to  the 
north  side  of  Lake  Flora,  on  which  Lake 
Park  is  now  located.  Here  they  stopped  for 
lunch.  They  were  ])articularly  plea.sed  with 
the  surrounding  scenery,  and  all  thought 
that  this  w.isthe  most  beautiful  country  they 
had  ever  seen.  Mr.  Martin  Olson  had  just 
got  here  a  few  days  befoi-e  in  a  "  ])rairie 
schooner"  with  his  family  and  took  up  a 
claim  on  Lake  La  Pelle,  where  he  still  resides. 
The  party  encamped  that  night  on  the  high 
ground  beyond  Muskoda,  in  full  view  of  the 
Red  River  Valle^^  Next  morning,  while  the 
most  of  the  party  moved  on  toward  the  Red 


m 


J4 


T//OM.tS   II.  CI XI- 11. in. 


river,  Mr.  CanHeld  took  lour  or  live  oC  tlie 
dire('t(»rs  across  tiie  ISiiiralo  iind  went  on  to 
where  Moorlieud  ami  Fari,'o  now  are.  to 
show  tiicU  the  place  lie  liad  selected  for  these 
towns  and  the  crossiuif  of  the  Red  river,  and 
in  the  afternoon  went  down  the  river,  join- 
ing the  rest  of  the  pai'ty  at  George- 
town, the  Hudson  liay  post,  the  only  settle- 
ment in  that  part  of  the  countiw.  The  next 
day — Sunday — was  spent  at  Georgetown,  on 
the  Dakota  side  of  the  river,  where  religious 
services  were  held.  There  heing  no  clergy- 
man with  the  party.  Dr.  Samuel  W.  Thayer, 
of  IJuriington,  Vermont,  the  medical  director 
of  the  company,  read  the  services  of  the 
E|)iscopal  Church, assisted  liy  ^[i".  Canlield, 
in  which  all  the  l»arty  joined  heartily,  and 
es[)ecially  in  the  i)salms  and  hymns ;  con- 
spicuous in  their  strong  vcjioes  were  \'ice- 
I'resideiit  Colfax,  Messi's.  Ogilen,  15illings 
and  Nettlet(jn.  The  party  consisted  of  Gov- 
ernor Smith,  of  A'ermout.  pi'esident  of 
the  Northern  PaciMc  Railroad;  Frederick 
JJillings,  of  Woodstock,  \'erm(mt  :  W.  I!. 
Ogden.  of  Chicago;  A.  II.  Harney,  of 
New  York;  Kichiird  D.  Rice,  of  J\Iaine; 
William  Wiudom.  of  Minnesota,  and  Thomas 
II.  Canfield,  all  directors  :  Dr.  S.  W.  Thayer. 
Hon.  Schuyler  Colfax,  (Jen.  A.  II,  Xettle. 
ton  and  George  I!.  Wright,  of  ^linneapolis ; 
C.  Carleton  Coffin,  of  Roston  ;  Mr.  Linsley. 
assistant  engineer  of  the  road;  Thomas  C. 
Ilawley,  now  of  Lake  I'ark:  .Mrs.  Itice.  ]\[rs. 
C(jlKn.  Mrs.  (ioveriieur  ^[orris.  of  Ni'W  Yoi'k. 
anil  two  tlaughters,  and  Miss  Audubon, 
grand-daughter  of  the  great  ornithologist, 
after  whom  the  town  of  Autlulion  is  named, 
and  J.  Young  Scamnion.  of  Chicago.  Un 
Monday  the  party  went  into  Dakota  some 
twenty  miles,  and  then  striking  south  came 
across  to  Fort  Abercromhie  and  thence 
back  to  St.  Paul  via  Pomme  de  Terre, 
Alexandria.  Sauk  Centi'e  and  St.  Cloud. 
Mr.  Cantield  left  the  party  at  :McCauleyville, 
and  came  back  across  the  countrv  on  horse- 


hack  alone,  with  some  pi'ctvisions  in  hi, 
pocket,  to  examine  more  fully  the  pin|M'i 
places  for  towns  and  to  look  out  a  line  finn, 
the  I'utl'alo  I'iver  for  the  railroad  to  tin 
height  (»f  land  at  Lake  I'ark. 

l.orATICN  oK  insMAK<K. 

In  May,  l>iT2.  before  the  railroad  tr;u„ 
had  reached  the  Red  liver,  while  there  u;h 
but  one  white  inhabitant  west  of  it.  he 
crossed  the  plains  with  liis  horse  and  ltug<;\, 
accompanieil  by  (jeneial  Thi)mas  L.  Rossir. 
3Ir.  I'.ly  and  others,  carrying  their  own  pid 
visions  from  Moorhead,  200  miles  to  tin 
^Iiss(tuii.  while  it  was  yet  Indian  Teri'itoiy, 
and  located  Fargo  and  laid  out  and  locatnl 
N'alley  City.  .lainestown  and  Rismarck.  iiiid 
determineil  the  point  for  the  crossing  of  tin- 
.Missouri  by  the  railroad,  where  the  long  iinn 
bridge  now  is.  (ireat  care  had  to  be  taken 
in  the  selection  of  sites  forthe  vai'ious  towns, 
soas  toaccommodate  the  surrounding  counliv 
after  it  should  be  settled  up,  but  especitil 
care  was  important  that  the  title  to  the  laiul 
should  he  pei'fect.  Ininimeral)le  were  tln' 
ditiicidties  that  appeared  in  this  respect — ;iil 
sorts  of  (juestions  arose  suddenly,  variniiv 
and  unexpected  claimants  turned  u]),  which 
re(]uired  much  ])atience  and  a  knowledge  uf 
the  land  laws  to  overcome.  Great  difficnlties 
were  experienced  with  those  towns  west  ut 
ti-e  Red  river,  because  the  lands  wciv 
uii-urveyed,  and  especially  because  the  panic 
of  lS7i>  canu>  on  l>efore  the  railroad  was 
iiuilt  in  Dakota,  which  caused  a  suspension 
of  the  work  for  two  years,  during  which 
time  tne  various'points  had  to  'be  kept  pos- 
session of.  at  an  enormous  expense,  in*  agents 
residing  there  the  year  around' in  log  huts, 
the  provisions  for  who.se  maintenance  the 
whole  year  had  to  be  transported  across  tin' 
country  in  summer,  as  no  one  would  ven- 
ture to]  make  such  a  journey  in  winter. 
The  original  log  house  at  Jamestown,  which 
Merritt   Wiseman,  agent  of    the  company. 


TffOAtAS   //.  CAM  lEI.n. 


3S 


•visions    in   his 

\\\     tilt'    l>l(i|ir! 

Dllt    il     llIU'    iVul!, 

iiilroa*!    to   tin 


|{('K. 

'   riiilroiul  tiMci, 

.'llilc    tllt'Tt'  \V;h 

vest  of  it.  Ill' 
)rse  iind  l»iijiu\, 
)niiis  I..  Kosscr. 
tlifir  own  jii'ii 
»  miles  to  tin 
(liiin  Tei-ritorv, 
)iit  iinil  lociitiil 

liisninivk.  :iiiil 
crossing  of  tin- 
I'e  tlie  lony  iiiMi 
liul  to  Im'  tiii«'ii 

Viii'ious  towns, 
un(lin<iconnti\ 
),  lint  «'spt'ci;ii 
illo  to  the  liiiiil 
•able  wore  tlir 
lis  respect — ;iil 

(lenly.  variniiv 
ixhI  u|>,  wliicli 
I  know  ledge  uf 

real  (littleultits 

towns  Avest  (it 
!  lands  wciv 
cause  the  panic 
i-ailroud  w;is 
3(1  a  suspension 

during  wliicii 
o  'be  kept  pos- 
ense,  by  agents 
id'  in  log  lulls. 
iiintenanee  the 
I'ted  across  tlir 
ne   would  vcn- 

y  in  winter, 
lestown,  wliiili 

the  company. 


occupied  as  a  post  for  two  years  is  still 
standing,  as  well  as  some  of  ilioNe  occnpii'd 
by  the  employt's  of  the  company  at  IJis- 
murck. 

>«otw  itlistandiiig  all  the  \arions  claims 
made  by  ditlVrent  parties,  whether  under  the 
homestead.  pre-empti<»n  or  town-site  laws,  or 
whether  upon  the  surveyed  or  iinsurx eyed 
lands,  the  whole  was  so  fhorcdiyhly  examined 
and  cleared  up  that  there  has  iii'Ver  been  a 
flaw  found  in  the  litle  to  any  of  the  lamis  or 
lots  in  these  various  locations,  where  now 
are  Hourishing  villagi's  and  i-ities.  and  the 
deed  or  contract  of  the  Lake  Superior  iV 
Puget  Sound  Company  is  regai'ded  as  safe  as 
K  Government  patent. 

In  November,  ISTl.  Mr.  ('antield  crossed 
the  desert  Tioo  miles  from  ( )i:den  on  the  I'nion 
Pacilic  IJiiilroad,  when  there  were  very  few 
■ettlers  in  that  country,  to  Snake  river  near 
Shoshone  falls;  thence  to  Boise  City,  Idaho, 
and  to  JJaker  ("ity.  eastern  Oregon,  via  the 
Burnt  creek  ci'ossing  of  the  .Snake  rivei'. 
near  whei-e  the  Oregon  Short  Line  jjailroad 
no\vcros>es;  thence  across  the  lilue  nioimt- 
ains  to  I'matilla.  on  the  Columbia  rivi'r. 
and  thence  l>y  steamer  to  Portland.  Ore- 
gon, meeting  tliere  Mr.  Kice.  the  vice- 
president  of  the  c(impiin\.  who  had  pre- 
ceded him  via  San  Fi'ancisco  and  an 
ocean  steamer,  and  with  whom  he  was  a 
committee  of  the  IJoard  of  FUrectoi-s  to  ar- 
Winge  for  comniencinii'  the  c<)nsti  lU'tioii  of  the 
road  from  ('oluml»ia  river  to  Tajjet  Sinuul. 
■  The  alkali  dust  of  the  ])Iains.  .so  light  that 
it  rises  like  a  cloud  and  covers  (>verylhing  the 
first  mile  ti'aveled.  which  tills  the  hair  and 
clothes.  [)enetrates  the  eyes,  ears,  nose,  mouth 
antl  throat.i'OTistantly  irritating  them  and  pro- 
ducing soreness;  the  scarcity  of  water  and 
provisions,  ami  the  rough  li'ails  and  diflicull 
crossings  of  streams;  tin'  I'ather  familiar 
attention  of  wild  aniiiial.s,  with  their  raven- 
ous demands  upon  liimseif  an<l  his  teamster. 
his  oidv  escort  most  of  the  wav,  maile  this 


trip  across  the  country  the  hardest  by  far  he 

e\  er  I'Xpelietlced. 

While  on  the  coast,  this  time  lie  e.\- 
]»lored  I'liget  Sound  for  the  second  tim<', 
accompanied  by  .Mr.  Ki(  e  and  some  engi- 
neers, and  also  went  up  the  Columbia  river 
as  fai'  as  the  Casi-ade  rapids. 

KXI'I.nK AII..N  t\V  ei(iKT    solMi  .\Mi  l.oc.vriON  OK 
TACOM.V. 

While  it  always  had  Ix-en  the  intention 
and  policv  of  the  Xorthern  I'acitic  Railroad 
Company  to  use  the  navigable  waters  of  the 
l;ikes  and  rivers  aci-oss  the  crintinent  in  tiie 
liist  instance  and  cfiiinecting  the  portages  by 
railroad,  in  ordei-  to  get  i.  communication 
through  the  whole  route  as  scton  as  possii)le, 
which  would  at  first  make  the  Colmniiia 
I'ivcr  route  availal>le  and  I'ortland  the  ter- 
minus of  the  branch  line,  and  the  commer- 
cial center  of  Oregon,  yet  Mr.  Canlleld 
always  insisted  that  socmer  or  later  the 
intt'i'es!  of  the  railroad  would  demand  the 
consti'uction  of  the  short  line  acro.ss  the 
( 'ascadc  mountains  to  Paget  Sound.  How- 
ever iiuicli  the  views  of  the  directors  of  that 
day  may  have  beeti  motlided  in  favor  of 
Portland  as  a  final  tei'ininus  in  consecpience 
of  the  obstach's  ])resented  liy  the  Cascade 
range,  he  never  subscril)ed  to  their  views, 
but  took  the  groumi  that  the  futuir  jxreat 
commercial  city  on  the  J'acific  coast  would 
be  on  the  waters  of  Puget  Sound,  where  it 
conld  he  approached  with  ease  through  the 
Straits  of  [•"iica  liy  the  largest  vessels  from 
all  parts  of  the  world,  without  being  sub- 
jecte(|  to  delays,  damage  and  shi[)wreck  by 
tile  hars  which  necessarilv  are  formed  at  the 
months  of  the  great  rivers.  Accordingly, 
he  secured  larg(!  tracts  of  land  at  various 
jioinls  on  the  .souml  from  Olympia  to  Bell- 
ingliam  bay.  and  had  a  thorou"li  examina- 
tion made  of  all  the  bays  and  iiarbors,  as 
well  ;is  of  the  coiintiy  contiguous,  as  to  tlu; 
))i'acticability  of  appi'oach  by  a  railroa<l.  and 


■f^^^^ 


36 


THOMAS  H.  CAXFIEI.D. 


the  supply  of  fresh  watei-  for  a  city  with 
reference  to  selecting  a  site  for  the  future 
terminus  of  the  Nortliern  TaciHc  Ilailroad. 

At  Tacoma  he  ])urohased  a  large  tract, 
believing  it  would  he  the  point  on  the  sound 
where  a  rnilroad  from  the  south  would  tii-st 
touch  it,  and  connect  it  with  the  AVillaniette 
valley  and  all  the  immense  productive  coun- 
trv  west  of  the  Cascade  mountains  for  hun- 
dreds of  miles  to  California  and  beyond  by 
branches  to  Utah  and  Nevada,  at  the  same 
time  being  located,  as  it  were,  in  fi'ont  of 
the  Cowlitz,  Natchez,  Stampede  and  Snoqual- 
mie  passes  of  the  Cascade  range,  one  of 
which  he  believed  therrilroad  would,  sooner 
or  later,  adopt  as  its  crossing,  as  it  would  be 
the  easiest  point  of  access  for  the  main  line 
from  the  east,  forming  a  junction  at  Tacoma 
with  tlie  lines  from  Oregon,  ("alifornia.  L'tah 
and  Nevada  from  the  south,  even  if  in  the 
future  it  should  be  deemed  expedient  by  the 
company  to  continue  the  line  down  the 
sound  to  some  point  nearer  to  the  entrance 
of  the  Straits  of  Fuca  as  the  final  termimis. 
The  wisdom  of  this  selection  has  since  been 
demonstrated  by  the  construction  of  a  rail- 
road from  California  to  Tacoma,  and  by  the 
extension  of  the  main  line  from  J.ake  Su]»e- 
rior  across  the  Cascade  mountains  through 
the  Stampede  pass  to  the  same  place,  wliich 
although  at  the  time  of  his  purchase  was  a 
wilderness,  is  now  a  city  of  20.(mk»  people,  at 
whose  wharf  tloat  vessels  from  all  parts  of 
the  worUl.  exchanging  the  products  of  China. 
Japan  and  the  Central  and  South  Amei'icau 
States  for  thoseof  Washington  and  Montana. 
Dakota  and  the  Eastern  States. 

Thus,  thi'ough  tlie  agency  A  Mr.  (^antield. 
the  Northern  I'acifii;  Railroad  Company  has 
been  enabled  to  secure  a  large  tract  of  land 
on  the  Mediterranean  of  the  Pacilic.  i-ivinir 
it  am|)le  facilities  for  its  terminus,  sliops. 
buildings,  side  tracks,  wharves  and  waie- 
hcmses.  approachable  without  diiliculty  by 
the  largest  vessels   in   tiie  world,  as  well  as 


enabling  it  to  lay  out  a  city  upon  a  plan  and 
scale  which  shall  adequately  p'.)vide  for  all 
the  wants  and  comforts  of  future  genera- 
tions, and  which  shall  be  a  fitting  counter- 
part to  one  to  be  built  at  itscjwtern  terminus 
on  Lake  Su])erior,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
waters  of  the  St.  Louis  river,  where  Dulutli 
and  Superior  now  are,  and  which  shall  be  the 
greaf  center  of  business  of  that  empire  of 
the  Northwest  now  being  so  rapidl}'  devel- 
oped, and  second  only  to  (Chicago  in  popula- 
tion and  commercial  importance  on  the 
great  chain  of  lakes. 

In  the  words  of  the  late  first  engineer  of 
the  company,  Mr.  Johnson,  "  It  should  be 
theand)ition  of  all  who  are  instrumental  in 
its  growth  to  render  it  the  (]ueea  city  of  the 
Pacific  coast,  the  model  city  of  the  v.  v^rld. 
No  unfriendly  elements  should  be  allowed  to 
mingle  in  or  mar  its  fair  proportions.  It 
should  be  i>i  all  respects  a  fitting  exponent 
of  the  benign  and  elevating  influence  of 
our  free  institutions,  and  should  occupy 
the  very  foremost  place  an.ong  the  great 
cities  of  Christendom,  reflecting  upon 
the  isles  of  the  Pacific  and  the  shores 
of  Asia,  over  which  it  is  destlneil  to  exert 
a  vast  influence,  the  light  of  the  most 
improved  civilization." 

At  thij  lime,  also,  Mr.  Canfield  located 
Teiiino.  Newaukem,  Skookum  Chuck,  Oleqiiu 
and  Kahuna  on  the  line  between  Tacoma  and 
Portland.  Kalama  was  selected  I  >cause  it 
wasat  the  head  of  highwater  navigation  of  the 
Columbia  river,  at  the  same  time  being  near 
Coffin  liock.  which  was  one  of  tl»e  few  places 
where  the  Columbia  river  could  be  bridged. 
Ivdama  was  the  place  on  the  Pacific  coast 
where  the  Northern  Pacific  Railroad  lai«l  its 
first  rail,  and  which  was  its  lieaihjuarters  fnr 
several  years  on  that  coast. 

I'liariASK    (iKIllK    OHKiiON    sri;.\M    NAVIOATIhN 
Oi.MI'ANV. 

It  was  while  here  A[r.  Canfield  foresaw  the 
importance  which  the  Oregon  Steam  Naviga- 


th 
p.i 


I  plan  and 
k^ide  for  all 
ui'e  genera- 
ng  counttM'- 
rn  term  in  MS 
nth  of  the 
ere  Dulutli 
shall  be  the 
empire  of 
)itlly  devt'l- 

0  in  popula- 
nce   on   the 

engineer  of 
t  should  he 
;rHniental  iu 

1  tit}'  of  the 
f  tlie  v.v^rld. 
e  allowed  to 
)ortions.  It 
ng  exponent 
inHuence  of 
jidd  occii|)y 
ig  the  great 
cting     upon 

the  shores 
neil  to  exert 
)f    the   most 

Held  located 
huck,  01e(]ua 
Taconia  and 
ed  i  "cause  it 
igationof  the 
le  being  neai' 
i>e  few  places 
be  In'idged. 
Pacific  coast 
Iroad  lai«i  its 
hjuarters  for 

1     NAVKiATIi'N 

1  foresaw  tiie 
earn  Naviya- 


T//0.\/AS  II.  CAN  I- 11:1. l\ 


37 


tion  Company  might  be  to  the  Northern 
PaciJic  Railroad  Company,  esjiecially  during 
the  progress  of  construction  and  until  tlie 
company  should  build  their  Portland  l)i'anch. 
This  \  as  a  company  owning  twenty  steamers, 
navigating  from  tin-  ocean  at  Astoria,  the 
waters  of  tlu?  Columbia,  Willanu-tte  and 
Snake  rivers  and  Pend  d'Oreillo  lake  for 
thousands  of  mil(>s  into  Oregon,  AVtishingtou, 
Idaho  and  Montana,  TtM'ritories.  It  was 
principally  owned  by  Messrs.  Aiiiswortli. 
Thompson  and  Jieed.  of  Portland,  and 
Alvinza  Hay  ward,  of  San  Francisco,  aiul  had 
been  built  u[>  fi-om  one  small  boat,  each  run 
by  Capls.  Aiuswortii  and  Thompson,  and  one 
of  the  best  and  most  systematically  man- 
aged companies  in  this  country.  l"pon  their 
showing  to  Mr.  Caidieid  a  full  stateu\ent  of 
their  business  from  the  beginning,  he  com- 
menced negotiations  with  them  for  the  whole 
property,  which  linally  resulted  in  Messrs. 
Ainsworth  and  Thompson  meeting  Mr. 
CanHeld  and  Mr  Jay  Co(d<e  at  the  hitter's 
residence,  Ogont/.,  neai"  Philadelphia,  in  the 
following  winter,  and  the  sale  was  consum- 
mated, the  NortiuM'U  Pacific  Kaili'oad  Com- 
]»any  l)uying  th:'ee-(|uai'tei's  of  tlie  stock  of 
the  Oregon  Navigation  Coini>aMy,  and  th<' 
original  pai'ties  retainiiig  one-ijuarter  and 
aiii'ceing  to  manage  'he  property  the  saun- 
as they  had  done  so  long  as  the  "')i'th(>rn 
Pacific  Kailroa<l  desired.  Ihit  unfoi'ii>ii;itely 
the  control  of  the  ()r<'gon  Navigation  ('oni- 
])any  was  lost  in  the  panic  id  IST.!.  Snlise- 
([uent  events  connecled  with  the  (>reg<m  and 
Transc(>ntinental  ('(tuipany  have  shown  how 
iiu[)ortanl  to  the  Norlliei'u  Pacihc  was  the 
Oregon  .Navigation  Companv.  justilying  llie 
views  originally  eutertiiined  by  Miv  CanlieM 
(d'the  iiupoi'lance  of  the  Northern  Pacilie 
Company  owning  and  eoiitixdling  it. 

In  ls7i'  Ml'.  ( 'iinliehl  esi'ort<'d  a  niajoi-ity 
(d'  the  board  <d'  d:r»>ctoi's  ol  the  Noriliei'ii 
J'acitlc  Railroad  lo(>regon  and  Washington 
Territorv,  going  via  the  Union  Pacilie   liail- 


roail  in  a  speeial  car  to  Sacramento,  thence 
overland  by  stage  and  rail  to  Portland  and 
Puiift  So,,  d.  .Messrs.  Cass.  Ogd(Mi.  V,' light. 
Hillings.  Siini-on.  Ainsworth  and  Windoin. 
directors;  Sjiiiuiel  Wilkeson.  secretary  id'  the 
coiupaiiy;Milnor  U(d»ei'ts.en«-ineer;I)r.Tha\er 
and  (  oloncd  W.S.  King.of  Minnesota,  compos- 
ing the  pai'ty.  This  was  the  first  time  these 
gentlemen  had  visited  the  Pacific  coast,  and, 
as  what  they  then  saw  would  probablv 
determine  many  important  matters  about 
the  future  of  lhecomi)any'safl'airs, especially 
the  crossing  of  the  Cascade  range  and  the 
terminus,  Mr.  Cantield  chartered  a  steamer 
and  visited  by  daylight  all  the  principal 
places  on  the  sound  from  Olym])ia  to  Victo- 
ria and  JJellmiiham  bav.  returniny  throiitrh 
Deception  pass,  being  the  first  steamer  that 
ever  went  through  this  pass  back,  of  Whidiiy 
island,  into  Holmes"  harlior.  the  best  harbor 
on  the  sound,  thence  to  Seattle,  then  a 
place  of  ;'.((0d  people,  on  Elliott  bay; 
then  to  ("ommencement  bay,  which  was 
then  surrounded  In  a  wilderness,  but  it 
wassubse(iuently  settled  ui)on  as  the  terminus 
—  being  where  Tacoma  is  now  located.  At 
that  early  day.  with  nearly  "i.OOo  miles 
iietween  Puget  Sound  aiu;  Lake  Superior  to 
be  traversed  by  an  iron  rail,  miudi  of  which 
was  then  unsurveyed  or  evei\  explored,  except 
bv  ^Ir.  Canlield's  expedition  in  ISC.it,  the 
idea  of  crossing  so  high  a  range  o"  mount- 
ains as  the  Cascades  was  not  ri'gardeil  by 
t  iie  directors  as  an  easy  matter,  especially 
bv  those  acciistoiiied  to  biiilding  roads  across 
the  prairies:  biiL  Mr.  Canliidd  took  the 
grouiul  that  an  enterprise  (d'  this  magnitude 
w<»iild  sooner  ol'  later  demand  the  crossing 
of  the  mountains,  and,  although  some  who 
were  prescul  might  not  live  to  see  that  day, 
vet  lie  |ireilicted  the  demands  id'  trade 
and  coiiiiiierce  wo-.di  lie  so  great,  that 
before  l^lMi  trains  u.iuld  run  from 
St.  Paid  and  Liuluth  to  the  w;  ers  of  Puget 
Sound  without  brcakine'  bulk  across  the  Cas- 


38 


THOMAS  Jf.  CAXl-'IEI.D. 


cade  inonntiiins,  wliidi  prediction  lias  been 
fulliliod  tiirce  years  ill  advance  of  the  time 
named  by  him.  j 

I'KKDICTION  THAT  LOriSllUKtJ  WII.I.  I  I.TIMATIW.Y 
HK  TIIK  KASTKK.N  TKKMINIS  OF  ;I1K  NORTII- 
KKN     liAII.WAV    SYSTKM. 

Tweiity-tliree  years  ago  Mr.  Canfield 
visited  the  Ishmd  of  Cape  JJretoii.  the  lasc  ■ 
of  Decemlter,  and  made  an  examination  of 
I.ouisliiiry  harbor,  the  In'St  harl)or  on  tlie 
Athintic  coast  from  Cape  North  to  Cape 
Sable,  with  reference  to  the  facilities  for  a 
shijipiii^'  i>ort.  and  he  canm  to  the  conclu- 
sion tiien  and  still  lirmly  believes,  it  will 
become  t  lie  terminus  of  the  noi-thern  chain 
of  railroads  across  the  continent,  being  only 
four  days  from  Liverpool,  with  abundance 
of  coal  within  ten  miles.  That  the  tea  of 
China  and  Japan,  anil  the  spices  (jf  the 
Indies  destined  for  Euroi)e  will  go  on  board 
the  "ars  at  Tucoma.  and  not  be  transferred 
until  ]»ut  on  boanl  of  steamers  for  Liverpool 
at  Louisburg.  It  was  one  of  the  three- walled 
towns  built  on  this  continent  although  now 
entirely  deserted,  having  been  lestroyed  in 
lT(i<'  during  the  French  and  English  wars. 
It  was  once  a  city  of  lit.ooo  people  and  it 
was  there  that  General  Wolfe  fitted  out  his 
ex[teditioii  against  C^)uei)ec.  In  fact,  since 
]\[r.  Caiilield  was  there  the  I'ailroads  have 
been  extended  from  ^fontreal  to  within 
''»0  niiit's  of  Louisburg.  and  a  car  of  freight 
I'an  now  i)e  shipped  from  Tacoma  to  the 
Straits  of  Causo.  in  Cape  Hretoii,  without 
breakiui:'  bulk,  and  it  can  not  ite  lone  l)elor(' 
this  last  1'  miles  will  be  ccnistructed. 
Then,  wiili  a  train  of  I'ullman  Palace 
Sleeping  cr.d  Oiiiing  cars  standing  on  the 
wharf  at  Louisburg  upon  the  ari'ival  of 
a  steamer  from  rJirope  with  a  load 
t)f  sea-sick  passengers  on  board,  it  will 
require  ao  great  stivti'h  of  imagination  to 
determine  liow  many  will  remain  on  board 
to  make  the  rough  passage  along  the  coast 
when  they  can  step  on   boanl  the  vestil)ule 


train,  retire  and  be  in  lioston  the  next  diiy 
.o  dinner  and  New  York  to  supper. 

The  result  of  Mr.  Cantield's  experience  is. 
he  has  traveled  over  nearly  all  the  count rv 
between  Lake  Superior  and  the  Pacific  ocean 
.'ia  the  northern  route,  on  foot,  or  horseliack, 
or  muleback,  in  carts  or  wagons,  long  before 
the  iron  horse  was  heard  in  the  land,  and 
consequently  has  become  familiar  with  the 
general  topography  and  character  of  the 
country  and  entertains  the  most  sanguine 
views  as  to  its  great  capacity  in  the  future. 

Few  men  comprehentled  so  fully  at  an  early 
day,  even  when  St.  Pan!  and  Minneap(jlis 
were  in  their  infancy,  the  great  capability 
of  this  immense  country — the  fertility  and 
extent  of  the  Ked  Iliver  Valle\'.  equal  to  li;;. 
of  the  Xile — the  abundant  resources  of  an- 
ous  kinds  awaiting  future  development  be- 
tween Lake  Superior  and  Puget  Sound— 
their  capacity  for  easy  and  rai)id  develop- 
ment, such  as  no  other  country  has  ever 
bef(»re  shown,  which,  combined  with  the  facili 
ties  oil'ered  by  the  Noi'thern  Pacific  ami 
Manitoija,  and  otliei-  railroads  yet  to  be  built, 
to  hasten  settlements  and  accommodate 
the  peo[)k',  will  create  a  great  Northwestern 
empire,  which  will  not  only  add  incalculable 
wealth  to  the  ration,  but  will  form  an 
important  I'actor  in  its  future  government. 

NKVKK    (.AVK    11'    TIIK    SUM'. 

Amid  all  the  iips  and  downs  of  the  tinier 
—  amid  all  panics  and  financial  storms  — 
notwithsta'uling  all  the  discouragements  of 
th(.' early  days  of  the  Northern  Pacific  and 
the  hostility  of  Congress  to  itsapplications  — 
^l\\  Canfield  has  always  maintained  thesaiin' 
abiding  faith  in  this  magnificent  undertak- 
ing and  the  same  coiitidciice  in  its  ultimate 
success,  and  he  still  believes  it  will  becijim' 
the  great  tr;  iiscont mental  highway  across 
the  continent  to  Kurope,  not  only  for  tln' 
products  of  the  farm,  forest  ami  mines  aloii:: 
its  border,  but    for    the   prodiicis    of  Jait.n; 


tlie  next  diiv 
)per. 

experience  is. 

1  the  country 

Pacific  oceiiii 

or  liorsel)a(k. 

s,  long  befoi'o 

he  hind,  uiui 

iliar  with  tiic 

racter  of  tiic 

lost  sanguine 

in  the  futuic. 

liy  at  an  early 

]\[inneapoiis 

?at  capability 

fertility  ami 

equal  fu    It;:. 

urces  ot     ..n 

elopnient  be- 

Liget  Sound— 

i])id  develop- 

itry   has  evor 

with  the  facili 

I    Pacific   and 

'et  to  be  built, 

acconimochitt' 

]S'orth\vestt'in 

.1  incalculahlo 

nil    form    iiii 

'overnnient. 


THOMAS  H.  C A. \' FIE  ID. 


39 


3MI1'. 

Wl:'   ' 

of  the  tinii's 

^roiK 

^ial   storms  — 

-Is;; 

iragements  u\ 

i\  Pacific  and 

ipplications  — 

ined  thesaiin' 

-Mit  undertjik 

its  ultiniatf 

will   become 

ghway  across 

only  for  the 

\  mines  ainii:: 

lUs    of  Japjiii 


China  and  the  Indies.  Tn  fact  it  will  bo- 
come  tlic  If'f(/'A/\y  //Jt/Ziird;/,  over  which  will 
])ass  the  ti-avel  and  business  of  the  most 
enlightened  and  civilized  portions  of  the 
globe. 

In  view  of  the  great  iliversity  of  pi-odue- 
ti<jnsof  tliii^  ci'untry.  and  those  of  the  Central 
AmericanStatesandthe  Itritish  Dominion, the 
commercial  relations  l)etwe(>n  them  and  the 
I'niteil  Statics  must  be  constantly  growing 
stronger  and  stronger,  until  their  intei'cst  shall 
lie  separated  by  no  transatlantic  influence  or 
power.  Having  great  faith  in  the  wisdom 
and  sol)er  second  thought  of  the  people  ex- 
pressed through  a  free,  unobstructed  ami 
^universal  sufTrag(>,  he  believes  that  within  a 
half  c<'ntury  there  will  be  but  one  English- 
's]>eaking  nation  in  North  America,  under  a 
repub:iean  form  of  gtn'ernuu'iit,  extending 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  and  from 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  the  Arctic  <  k-ean.  A 
nation  over  which  will  float  only  one  flag,  that 
of  the  stars  and  stripes  of  the  Unile<l  States. 
Oiu'  Republic,  whose  free  and  enlightened 
institutions  will  cijnfer  u|ion  millions  of  peo- 
ple all  the  benefits  of  the  highest  and 
niost  enlightened  eivilizatioji.  and  he  the  con. 
tro"itig  power  among  the  nations  of  the 
eartii. 

' '  (  antield  continued  as  ])resident  of  the 
'^  ipei'ior  A:  Piiget  Stjimd  Company 
<li  'ctor  of  the  Northern  Pacific  Kail- 
!'  ill  fhe  i)ankriipt('y  of  the  company  in 
\li>'ii.  upon  its  leoi'ganizatioii.  it  bfcaiiic 
the  principal  owner  of  the  Lake  Siipeiioi' 
&  Paget  Sound  Coiiipanv,  and  no  iieeessiiy 
existed  longer  lor  ;i  II  a'tive  manager.  Mr. 
Canfield  resigned  alter  Imving  devoted  over 
twenty  years  of  the  |)rinu-  of  his  lift.'  to  inaug- 
urate and  put  into  operation  this  magiiiti- 
•^eiit  enterprise,  witli  wlneii  his  name  iiiiist  i)c 
■oiNMer  iilentified  as  its  most  active  orijan- 
i/A'f  and  promoter  in  its  dark  days,  when 
very  few  had  the  fiiintesl  i;lea  it  wouM  ever 
amount  to  aiivthini:. 


It  is  a  little  remarkal)le  that  durinjr  all 
these  many  yeiirs,  amid  all  tin;  various  modes 
of  transportation,  and  the  millions  of  miles 
he  has  travfded  and  in  so  many  different 
plac(s  where  there  were  n<»  roads  or  other 
convenietu-es,  he  has  never  met  with  any 
accident  nor  has  he  ever  carried  any  fire- 
arms of  any  description  for  a  single  rod  ;  has 
nevei'  had  any  serious  trouble  with  the 
Indians  or  "roughs"  of  the  frontier,  alt  hou-di 
meeting  them  at  times  und(M'  not  verv  aizree- 
able  circumstances,  where,  but  for  his  (piick 
perce])tion,  good  judgiiuMit  of  human  nature 
and  discreet  action,  serious  results  mi'iht 
have  occurred. 

The  board  of  directors  of  the  Xorthern 
Pacific  Railroad  decided  at  an  eai-ly  day  as 
soon  as  construction  commenced  mA  to 
l)econi(;  personally  interested  in  any  lands  or 
j)roperty  on  thelineof  the  proposed  route;  but 
the  dilHcultv  of  gettin";  emigrants  U)  j^o  into 
an  unknown  coimtrv  with  all  their  worldly 
effects,  uncertain  as  to  what  the  land  W(»ul<l 
produce.  coiiii)elled  the  directors  to  nu)dify 
their  policy  to  a  certain  extent,  and  to  adopt 
one  which  Mr.  Canfield  iiad  fretpiently  laid 
before  them,  namely,  that  in  order  to  demon- 
strate to  the  world  the  great  fertility  of  the 
soil  and  its  a<laplabil:ty  ti>  farming,  they 
should  at  distnnc'  .  of,  say  thirty  miles  apart, 
take  up  a  si-ctioii  of  land  along  the  line  in 
advance  of  settlements,  break  it  up  and 
sow  it  to  wheat,  and  thus  show  in*  facts, 
instead  of  talk  and  advertisements  on 
[laper,  what  actually  could  be  dont;.  As 
he  was  the  advocate  of  this  policy,  of 
course,  it  fell  upon  him  to  lead  off, 
and  he  accortlingly  piir(;liased  alioiit  .'>.."jOo 
acres  in  the  I'ai'k  Region  of  Miniii'Sfita.  at 
I.alce  Park,  at  the  point  where  the  outer  I'im 
of  the  \U't\  River  basin  connects  with  the 
tiiiilier  region.  Other  direct(»rs.  Mr.  Tower 
io(d<  .'!,0(iu  acres  at  (ilyndon.  and  Messrs. 
('Iieiiev  and  Cass  fi.ooo  aci't's  at  Cas.seltoii, 
hakota.  which   has  since  become  celebrateil 


40 


77/ OM AS  //.  CAXFIRI.D, 


as  the  Dalryniple  farm,  being  managed  by 
Oliver  I)alry»;j)le,  one  of  the  oldest  wheat 
raisers  in  the  Northwest.  All  these  were  at 
once  ])iit  under  cultivation,  and  the  enormous 
crops  of  No.  1  hai'd  wheat  the  lirst  year  gave 
an  impetus  to  emigration  and  settlement;  thus 
the  great  farms  which  have  been  so  nuich 
abused  did  more  to  advertise  and  develop  the 
countrv  and  brinii-  in  emigrants  and  settle 
it  up  tiian  $10(t,U00  expended  in  advertising. 
Nowhere  in  the  history  of  the  world  has  such 
a  rapid  and  extensive  development  been  nuule 
as  in  northwestern  j\[innesota  i''!  Dakota, 
over  4o,000,U0U  bushels  of  wheat  1  t  '-een 
raised  this  last  year,  besides  all  otin  .»ps, 
and  that,  too,  mostly  upon  what  was  Indian 
territory  in  1S70,  and  where  there  was  then 
no  white  inhabitant. 

HACK  TO  KAKM1N(;    WIlK.lil-:   HE   liK(;A.N   KIFIV 
VKAKS  Alio. 

>[r.CanfieId,  since  his  retirement  from  the 
railroad  company,  has  devoted  nioi'e  oi-  less 
of  iiis  time  to  his  fai'm  at  Lake  Park,  and  has 
taken  the  ground  that  to  make  a  farminir 
country  prt;sperous  and  successful  it  should 
n.ii  bi!  confined  to  one  single  crop,  like  wheat, 
but  all  crops  adapted  to  the  soil  imd  clinuite 
shuiiUl  he  raised  ;  and  he  has  eiuleavored  to 
show  what  can  btMloncbvdi versified  farniin*'-. 

The  beauties  and  advantages  oi  the  Lake 
Park  Kegion.  as  well  as  the  etl'oi'ts  of  Mr. 
("anfield  in  demonstrating  the  advantages 
and  im[)ortance  of  divei-sitied  farming,  are 
strikingly  described  ity  an  eminent  writer  and 
travelei',  on  iiis  ivturn  across  the  continent  a 
few  years  since,  aftei'  having  visited  most 
parts  of  th<>  I'nited  States.     He  says: 

"That  vast  forest,  theailmiration  of  wood- 
men and  tlie  wonder  of  travelers,  lioi'dtTini;' 
on  Lake  Superior,  a^  it  proi'eods  westward, 
stoutly  t'ontests  the  earth's sni'face  with  open 
s|)ace  and  limpid  lake,  (iradiially,  iiowcver, 
the  forest  weakens,  until  here,  thii'tv  miles 
from   the   Pu'd  river,    at  aiiout   tiie     hi"liest 


northern  point  of  the  Northern  Pacific  Rail- 
road, between  Miles  City  and  Duluth,  it 
loses  its  hold,  for  westward  are  the  un- 
bounded un  wooded  prairies,  always  to  he 
artificially  watered,  with  exceptional  cases, 
while  surrounding  and  eastward  is  perhaps 
the  mt)st  ))lacidly  beautiful  country  the  eye 
ever  rested  upon. 

"This  connecting  link  contains  the  last 
lakes — if  Devil  lake  be  excepted — of  size,  and 
the  last  woods  or  forests  for  nmny  hundred 
miles,  and  as  such  is  not  inaptly  termed  the 
Park  Region,  although  hereabouts  the  Lake 
Park  Kegion,  from  tiie  name  of  this  town, 
and  is  consequently  about  the  only  and  near- 
est resort  for  the  Dakotian  of  the  ])lain  for 
change  of  scenery,  recreation  ami  ))leasure. 
The  I'ark  Kegion,  taking  this  town  as  tlie 
objective  jioint,  extends  sixty  miles  south  to 
Fergus  Falls,  thirty  north,  is  in  width  nearly 
tliirtv  mile.s.  while  its  altitude  troes  over 
1,8<M)  feet.  It  is  unlike  Dakota  or  Montanii, 
for  it  is  neither  flat  nor  mountainous,  l»ui 
undulating,  as  the  ocean.  inters])ersed  with 
lakes,  groves,  and  an  open,  magnificent  agri- 
cultural countrv.  AV^ithin  twentv  rods  of 
the  dejjot  is  Lake  Floi-a,  a  half  mile  wide, 
end)owered  with  forest  trees,  and  a  half  mile 
farther  on  is  Lake  La  P.elle,  ovor  two  miles 
long,  and  well  kn(»wn  for  its  pure  waters  and 
beautiful  surroundings.  Still  in  the  same 
direction  are  other  lakes,  interspersed  with 
farms,  and  vying  in  their  admirable  features, 
in  ^linnesota.  accoi'tling  to  the  statistics  of 
the  latul  office,  are  over  10,000  lakes,  and 
within  fifty  miles  of  Lake  Park  are  20()  of 
these:  Lake  Cormorant,  in  a  direct  line 
South  a  few  miles,  is  the  most  westerly  lake 
of  size  in  Minnesota,  easily  jiccessible,  h-is  ii 
grav»dly  iieach  of  loo  miles,  surrounded  liy 
wooded  hills  on  three  sides,  variegated  with 
forest-covered  islands,  abounding  in  Jish  and 
game,  and  capal)le  uf  steamboat  navigation. 
It  miiist  beciune  the  great  summer  resort  m 
the  future,  -nd  divide  the  honors  with  Lake 


TirOMAS  II.  CANJ-li:i.D. 


41 


Minnetonka,  especially  for  the  citizens  of 
Dakota.  This  Lake  Cormorant  in  particular, 
ami  this  Lake  Park  region  in  general,  are  tlie 
liiinter'sand  fisherman's  paradise,  for  on  these 
hills  are  foiii,.,  game  of  various  kinds,  and  in 
tiiese  lakes  the  linest-fiber  fish,  onlv  waitini^ 
the  angler's  skillful  hook. 

•'Renowned,  however,  as  the  Lake  Paik 
Region  is  hecoming,  and  must  continue  to 
become  as  a  summer  region,  its  forests  and 
farming  lands  indicate  far  more.  What  of 
these  '.  The  forests  are  inviting  indeed  and 
ivsemide  cultivated  parks,  so  mucii  j  that 
Jiayard  Taylor,  who  described  them  years 
since,  alleged  thev  bore  a  strikin<r  like- 
ness  to  English  parks  in  tlieir  stateli- 
ness,  the  grassy  grounds  underneath  i)eing 
devoid  of  underbrush  and  stumps.  Those 
near  by  seem  to  be  only  fifty  years  old,  and 
have  caused  much  study  to  the  scientific  as 
to  how  they  came  there.  Four  and  five 
miles  out,  however,  they  seem  older,  not  so 
cultivated,  and  larger.  In  these  forests  are 
found  the  white  oak,  i)asswood,  maple,  iron- 
wood,  Cottonwood,  ash,  birch,  poplar,  Ijox 
elder  and  some  other  varieties.  Their  utility 
is  f'iisily  seen,  for  in  the  open  prairie  the  fuel 
question  is  an  absorbing  one;  but  when  it  is 
further  stated  that  these  thick  forests  cut  ofl" 
the  fierce  winds — the  bitter,  biting  curses  of 
tlie  smooth  pi'airies — tiieir  further  provident 
u>e  is  apprehended.  Thus  these  forests  are 
iiotalonea  tliingof  i)eauty,  l)Ut  of  utility  ;itul 
pi'olection. 

"Now  then  as  to  the  country  iietween 
lakes  and  woods — the  fai'uiing  lands.  It  is 
divided  up.  more  than  in  any  other  place  vis- 
ited, into  farms  of  Jt;o  aci'es.  On  each  <i|' 
these,  ahnost  without  exception,  an*  small 
lakt.'s.  s(j  that  with  the  natural  grass,  winch 
is  similar  to  the  bunch  grass  of  Mtuitana  — 
only  the  bunches  are  smaller  and  more  fic- 
(juent — tlx'V  seem  specially  designed  for  the 
raising  of  cattle,  horses  and  sheep.  This 
grass,  together    with    the    pure    watei'  ami 


atmosphere,  makes  the  very  best  of  milk, 
butter  and  cheese.  Tlie  soil  is  a  rich,  black 
loam,  from  eighteen  to  thirty  inches  deep, 
with  subsoil  of  clay,  and  has  the  same  char- 
acteristics of  the  best  [lortions  of  the  lied 
River  Valley,  for  the  Lake  I'ai'k  Region  is 
the  eastern  edge  or  rim.  The  V\.ki\\  River 
Valley  wheat  has  attracted  attenli(m  deserv- 
edly throughout  the  civilized  world,  and  is 
the  result  of  the  jieculiar  ingredients  of 
the  soil  no  less  than  the  climate,  and  these 
together  have  produced  the  best  Scotch 
Fife  wheat  in  existence,  known  hereabouts  as 
No.  Ihard.meani ng  Scotch  Fife  wheat,  weigh- 
ing, when  cleaned,  fifty-eight  i»ounds  to  the 
1)Us1h1.  often  sixty  and  sixty-one  pounds,  ami 
hard,  huluth  and  Minneapolis  are  its  great 
markets.  The  latter  with  its  vast  mills  turns 
out  '2o.OoO  barrels  per  day.  This  is  done  liy 
means  of  a  series  of  rollers.  The  first  set 
cracks  the  kernels  of  wheat  in  two.  tlien  it 
])asses  throuiih  a  bolt  and  pui-ifier,  then 
through  a  second  set  of  rollers,  cracking 
it  finer  than  before;  then  more  dross 
eliminated  liy  bolt  and  jiurifier.  and  so 
on  clean  ilown  to  the  last  roller,  bolt 
and  jmrifier.  and  the  final  result  is  the 
most  perfect  fhnir  in  the  world,  so  much 
so  that  it  is  shipped  direct  fi'om  thei'eto  (ier- 
many.  England.  Scotland.  France,  and  is 
consumed  in  preference  to  any  other  by  the 
iiest  families  in  the  United  States.  >'ow  it 
will  be  perceived  why  the  famous  St.  houis 
fh)ur  and  celeitraled  Riclimc  w\  (\'a.)  flour 
has  been  litiM'ally  siispersei.ed.  The  Red 
River  Valhy  Hour,  idiintly  stated,  is  for  sale 
in  the  markets  of  the  world.  This  is  not  all. 
TIk-  \\.y'^\  River  Valley  wheat,  of  which  this 
region  is  pai't  and  parcel,  is  sought  after  l>y 
all  the  important  milling  ('('nters  in  the 
United  States.  Why  f  To  mix  with  infe- 
i'i(jr  grades— tone  them  uj)  so  as  to  jiroduce 
their  •  superfine'  Hour.  Thus  in  large 
(juaiitities  tins  famous  wheat  is  in  St.  Louis, 
Richmond.  Cincinnati,    Rocliestei',    Ruffalo, 


42 


THOMAS  H.  CA^TFIELD. 


Boston,  etc.  The  logical  inference  to  be 
drawn  from  this  is  that  the  lands  from  which 
sucli  wheat  flour  is  ])roduce<l  must  he  not 
simply  wonderful,  hut  exceedingly  valuable. 
They  are  valuable,  however,  in  the  additional 
fact  that  the  Lake  Park  Region  is  the  one 
naturally  adapted  to  diversified  farming.  In 
order  to  understand  this  and  some  other 
])oints.  a  little  digression  will    he  necessary, 

"  Lake  Park  was  located  and  laid  out  on 
the  4th  of  July,  IsT^i,  l)y  the  Lake  Superior 
tk  Puget  Land  ('om])any,  which  was 
organized  as  an  auxiliary  to  the  Xortliern 
Pacific  liailroad  ("on)])any,  with  the  oijject 
of  purchasing  land  at  ])r()per  places  for 
stations  on  tlie  railroad,  estaldisliing  ferries 
a(?ross  I'ivers,  and  doing  anvthinf;'  else  wliicli 
was  necessary  to  advance  the  construction  of 
the  road  and  which  the  Korthern  Pacific 
llailroad  Company  could  not  do  by  their 
charter. 

"Mr.  Thonuis  H.  Canfield.of  Burlington, 
Vermont,  was  ]iresident  of  the  formei'  and 
director  of  the  latter.  Between  these  two 
positions  his  duties  called  him  to  critically 
examine  sites,  soils,  climates,  ingioss  and 
egress,  depressions  and  elevations — in  fact, 
nearly  everything  connected  with  the  ad- 
vancement and  permanency  of  the  Xoi'thern 
Pacific  Railroad,  and  thus  he  located  and 
laid  out  most  of  the  towns  from  Lake 
Superior  to  the  ]\[issouri  river,  and  many  on 
the  Puget  Sound  and  C(duml)ia  divisions, 
and  this  is  how  he  came  to  select  and  lav  out 
Lake  Park,  in  his  opinion,  as  well  as  ihat 
of  many  others,  the  most  desirable  place  on 
the  whole  line  of  road  for  l)eauty  of  land- 
scape and  variety  of  resources.  It  was  difli- 
cult  in  the  early  days  to  get  settlers  <ni  the 
railroad  line.  They  were  afraid  of  Indians, 
knew  nothingabout  the  soil,  crops  or  climate, 
excepting  vague  i-umors  l>oin  of  ignorance 
and  incredulity.  How  then  was  this  to  be 
done^  Why.  'if  the  mountain  won't  come 
to    Mahomet,    ALUiomet    must    go    to   the 


mountain;'  in  other  words,  the  directors 
had  to  do  it  themselves,  and  this  common- 
sense  solution  proposed  by  Mr.  Canfield  was 
carried  out.  It  was  aI)Solutely  necessary,  for 
even  after  the  railroad  reached  the  \\c\ 
river  the  settler  would  not  go  beyond,  ami, 
furthermore,  at  tiiis  time  there  was  no  sett  If 
ment  west  of  the  ]^Iississip)>i  river  north  of 
the  forty-fifth  parallel,  for  this  whole  stretcli 
of  country  was  then  considered  by  outsiders  ii> 
Indian  territory.  In  this  solution  of  the  proli 
lem.  .soils,  crops,  etc.,  as  above  stated,  Messrs. 
Cass  k,  Cheney  selected  al)out  3,000  acns 
each  west  of  the  Red  river,  near  Casseltun, 
Dakota,  Mr.  Tower  nearly  the  same  amount  at 
Glyndon,  Minnesota,  and  Mr.  Canfield  the 
farm  he  now  occupies  of  3,000  acres  south 
of  Lake  Park,  and  2,500  acres  in  the  adjacent 
town  of  Cuba,  three  miles  north,  for  Rev. 
Dr.  Ilawley,  now  of  Brainerd,  Minnesota, 
formerly  of  Connecticut,  by  whose  happy 
suggestion  this  town  received  the  appropriate 
name  of  Lake  Park.  On  these  two  farm:; 
Mr.  Canfield  has  most  successfully  carrieii 
out  his  uleas  of  diversified  farming.  The 
writer,  in  company  with  this  gentle'tv.vn,  hail 
the  pleasure  of  examining  these  pi'opertics. 
His  farm  was  seen  first.  It  touches  the  rail- 
road limits  and  extends  south  in  onecompaot 
body.  At  about  its  center,  on  an  eminence, 
was  the  large,  elegant  two-story  residence 
of  the  foreman,  surrounded  by  houses  for 
workmen,  fine  barns  for  hoi'ses,  sheds  foi 
cattle,  a  granary,  and  a  waroliouse  120  IVct 
long  by  30  feet  wide  lor  machinery,  for  tlii.'^ 
last  is  the  I'tr.i'uue  of  Western  farndnir.  Thi 
hands  were  threshing  the  wheat  with  the 
steam  tliresher  at  the  rate  of  a  thousaml 
i)uslit'ls  ])er  day,  and  there  in  the  open  field 
the  bundles  of  wheat  bi-ought  ui)on  wagon- 
were  put  into  the  nuichine  and  came  out 
shelled  and  were  immediately  placed  in 
hags  and  started  for  the  railroad  elevatoi. 
to  be  shipped  to  Diduth  by  the  Northern 
Pacific  Railroad.     See  bv  this  the  startlini: 


THOMAS   II.  CAM- 1  I.I  I). 


43 


lie  (lirecturs 

lis  coniiiioii 

Ciin field  wu^ 

lecessary,  tor 

led   the   iJed 

beyond,  jiiid, 

was  no  set  til' 

ver  north  ot 

ivliole  stn'tcli 

y  outsiders  \\> 

mof  theproli 

tated,  Messrs. 

b  3,000   acri's 

?ar  Casseltoii, 

iTieiimoimt  at 

Canfieid  the 

)  acres  soiitli 

II  the  adjacent 

rth,   for  IJev. 

1,  Minnesota, 

whose  lia])|iy 

le  appropriate 

se  two  farm:; 

sfulh'  carried 

arming.     Tlie 

entle'TV:vn,  hail 

ise  properties. 

uclies  the  rail- 

n  one  compact 

an  emineiuo. 

ory  i-esideiue 

)y  houses  I'm 

jC'S,  sheds  for 

ouse   120  foi't 

inery,  for  this 

arming,    'Ww 

heat  with  the 

)f  a  thousiuiil 

the  open  fielii 

upon  wagftii- 

ind  came  mit 

ly   jilaced    in 

•oad  elevatnr. 

the  Xorthein 

the  startliiiiJ 


Iditfei'cnce  between  the  time  of  Abraham  and 

blie   nineteenth    century.       Here    were   also 

jsoine  of  the  finest  cattle,  unexcelled  by  any 

seen    in   Montana,  with  such  shapely  limbs. 

[eleyant    coats,    silky,  shiny  hair,  intelligent 

?yes — Itut    who   can   describe   them  '.      The 

^■writer  can  not.     They  are  beyond  him,  and 

ire  lit  subjects  for  the  wondrous  tongue  ol 

)aniel  Webster  or  the  vivid  brush  of  Rosa 

lioiiheur.       And   now,  what   shall   be     said 

)f  the    horses?      They    were    the    best  and 

|]argest    lot    of    bloode<l    stock    seen    in   this 

I'Westeni    tour,    for   there    was  not   a  stick 

|aiiiong   them  all.     No  wonder  that  a  man 

likes  to  steal  horses.     The  writer  in  looking 

it  this  magnificent    lot    felt  like  taking  one 

limself.     On  the  eastern  part  of  this  farm 

there    is   an   unusual    eminence,    to    which 

Ir.  Canlield  took  the  writer,  which  eminence 

i^ould  onlv  be  comi)ared  to  the  place   where 

the  devil   took  the  Savior,  not  so  much  «m 

iccount  of  its  elevation  as  the  vast   stretch 

)f  visicm   it  afforded.     It   was   a.   clear,  sun- 

il^hinv    (lav    antl    the    whole    counti'v     was 

•Spread    out     before    us.     There     were     the 

p'oves,  the  lakes,  the  cattle,  the  hoi'ses.  the 

iekls  of  grain  cut  and  uncut,  the  threshers 

|n  various  directions,  trains  of  cars  on   the 

forthern   Pacific,    and    last,   not   least,  over 

JOit  farm  houses,  where  ten  years   ago  was 

lot  one.     TVever  has  the  writer  had  such  an 

::«xteiisive  and  varied  view  in  every  direction. 

rjnot  even   fi'oni   the  highest  elevation  of  the 

^llorky  mountains,     ^^r.  Canfieid  commenced 

-t^jierations  on  these  two  farms  in   IST'i.  and 

^^las  now  under  the  plow  about  '.M/o  acres  on 

fDne.  and   ♦)Ihi    on   the  othe.'.     lie  has  built 

■about  fifty  miles  of   fence  composeil  of  oak 

irails  and   barlx'd    wire,  iiiti'oduced    some  of 

Ithe    best  Short-horn  herds  of   the    c(»uutry. 

«up<:-ri(ir  blooded  stock,  until  he  now  has4ii" 

head    <if    tlioi'oughiii'eds    and    high    grades. 

These    have    been    iired    with    reference    to 

form,    best    adapted    to  carry    the    great(>st 

Amount  of  muscle  and  fat,  disposed   in  the 


best  manner  U)  secure  the  choicest  beef, 
at  th<.>  same  time  having  in  view  the  strain 
possessing  the  highest  (jualities  for  milk  and 
butter,  thus  making  them  particularly  valu- 
able for-  this  section  of  the  country,  both  for 
beef  and  the  dairy.  All  these  animals  have 
been  bred  with  care  by  the  most  experienced 
bi'eedei's.  their  pedigrees  showinga  line  direct 
from  some  of  the  hiyhest  and  best  En<rlish 
stock.  lie  has  also  ))urchased  two 
I'ercheron  Norman  stallions  from  Krance, 
from  which  lie  has  raised  many  supe- 
rior colls  as  well  as  enal)ling  his  neigh- 
bors todo  the  same.  This  breed  of  lioises  is 
particularly  ada])ted  to  a  farm  where  so 
much  machinery  is  needed.  They  weigh 
from  1.400  to  l.ftno  ])ounds  each,  and  being 
fast  walkers  accomplish  much  more  every 
day  with  the  machinery  than  ordinary  horses, 
and  thus  lieing  strong  in  proportion  they  are 
a  y-reat  iirotit  in  the  course  of  a  vear  bv  the 
excess  of  theii' strength  and  quickness.  To 
those  who  have  cijnsidered  farming  on  a  large 
scale,  where  the  raising  of  grain  is  the  main 
object,  the  unsolved  ])roblem  has  been  how 
to  keep  their  men  and  teams  employed 
l)etween  seeding  and  harvest,  and  also  in  the 
winter  season.  This  gentleman  does  this 
by  cutting  the  natural  meadow  grass  for  the 
winter  season,  and  letting  his  cattle  run  out 
on  t!ie  pastures  to  fatten  from  spring  to  fall, 
and  in  the  winter  season  both  men  and  teams 
are  at  liberty  to  attend  to  them.  Thus  with 
scarcely  any  extra  cost  cattle-raising  with  its 
profits  goes  side  by  side  with  wheat-raising 
with  its  jirolits  without  in  any  way  inter- 
fei'ing."" 

•'  He  has  also  made  several  valual)le  expeii. 
ments.  among  which  may  be  mentioned  seed- 
ing with  tame  grasses,  such  as  tiiiKttliy. 
clovei'.  red  to]),  at  sundry  times,  all  of  which 
have  turned  out  well.  He  has,  besides, 
adopted  what  is  known  in  the  East  as  'suni- 
luer  fallowing."  anil  this  also  has  lieen  suc- 
cessful, for  it  r     "is    the    land  a  vear's  rest. 


44 


THOMAS  //.  CAXIIELD. 


11! 


All  thase  thing's  and  many  others  have  been 
accomi)lishe(l  in  six  short  years,  and  they 
reflect  not  only  the  untiring  energy  and  con- 
summate ability  of  tliis  gentleman,  but  have 
forever  settled  the  adaptability  of  the  soil 
of  Lake  Pai-k  for  wheat-raising,  and  what  is 
more  important,  its  peculiar  natural  adapta- 
bility for  diversified  farming,  which  system 
has  since  been  adopted  more  or  less  by  neigh- 
borintr  farmers.  Much  has  been  said  in  these 
latter  days  about  'large  farms,'  hut  tlie 
investitriition  of  this  and  other  sections  demon- 
strate?-  that  they  arouseil  the  whole  country 
and  hastened  tlie  settlement  of  the  North- 
west by  a  decade  of  years ;  and  nowhere 
alonir  tiie  Northern  Pacific  line  is  this  more 
plainly  visible  than  in  the  Lake  Park  Region. 
•  Never  forget  the  bridge  which  carries  you 
over.' 

"  The  village  of  Lake  Park  is  situated  north 
of  the  Northern  Pacific  Railroad  track,  on  a 
slo])ing  elevation,  admirable  for  sanitary  and 
drainage  })urposes,  ovei'looks  the  surround- 
ing country,  and  has  thus  avoided  those 
unfortunate  divisions  caused  l)y  being  located 
both  sides  of  the  track  or  a  half  a  mileaj)art. 
Thus  the  Jirst  impression — and  it  is  every- 
thin<r  to  a  stranger — is  favorable.  The  second 
is  the  natural  beauty  of  the  town.  Outside 
of  its  pictures(jue  location,  the  lakes,  the 
trees,  the  green  grass,  are  beautiful  as  well 
as  useful,  and  here  tliey  al)f)un(l.  The  third 
and  last  impression  indicated  in  innumerable 
wavs  is  the  iron  tenacitv  and  rigid  economy 
of  its  citizens. 

"The  first  settlers  came  to  what  is  now 
called  Lake  Park  in  1809,  a  few  more  in  '7o, 
not  many  additions  in  '71,  but  in  1S72  houses 
commenced  to  be  built.  There  were  then 
twenty-iive  ]»eople.  and  the  place  had  three 
names,  viz. :  Liberty  for  the  town,  Loring  for 
the  postoifice.  and  Lake  Side  for  the  railroad 
station ,  About  1870  the  three,  at  the  sugges- 
tion of  the  Tie"  l)r,  Ilawley.  were  merged 
into  Lake  Pari      The  railroad  I'eached  here  in 


1871,  and  the  cars  have  run  regularly  <ver 
since.  The  greater  portion  of  the  people] 
were  Norwegians  and  Swedes,  the  rest 
Americans.  All  had  come  to  this  section 
to  better  their  fortunes  by  cultivating  the 
soil,  although  almost  nothing  was  known 
ab(mt  it.  There  is  a  tendency  in  the 
hunuin  mind  to  paint  the  rose  without  its 
th(^rn — the  ocean  Avithout  its  temi)ests  and 
hurricanes — the  skies  without  their  thunders 
and  lightnings — the  West  without  its  clouds 
— as  the  material  heaven.  It  looks  in  the 
apt  words  of  the  i)oet  as  if — 

'  Life  is  a  sea  ; 
How  fair  its  face  ; 

How  smooth  its  dimpling  waters  pace  ; 
Its  canopy  liow  pure.' 

"  The  reality,  however,  shows  that — 

• rocks  below 

And  tempests  sleep 

Insidious  o'er  the  glassy  deep, 

Nor  leave  one  hour  secure.' 

"  The  further  history  of  this  place  proves 
the  truth  of   the  lines.     During  "70  and  "71 
very   little  wheat   was  sown,  but  that  was 
consumed    by   grasshoppers.      In  '72  ukuv 
wheat  was  sown,    and  that,    too,    was  (h' 
voured      by     the      grasshoppers.      In     "T" 
wheat   was  again   sown — the   grasshoi)pti> 
didn't  come,    probably    surfeited    by   the  i 
three  years"  feast;  l)ut  what  was  not  miicl 
better,  cold  and  wet,   and  the  crop  waslitlli 
or  nothing.     In  "74  wheat  was  again  sown 
and  grasshopi)ersate  up  everything,  probahi 
hungry  and     uuul    because   they    gave  tin 
settlers  a   rest   the   year   before.     In    1*^7' 
another  crop  was  put  in.     The  weather  \\>i^ 
cold,    but    the   grasslioppei'S   wouUln't  st;i\ 
away.     They  knew  too  well  the  deliciousiif-- 
of  lied  River  Valley  wheat,  much  better  thai 
some  Kastein  wiseacres,   and   desired   otin' 
more   •  to  roll  it  as  a  sweet  morsel'    into  their 
maws.     The  weather,  however,  killed  thoiii 
oil",  but  not  until  they  had  destroyed  sohh' 
sections.     The   crop    that     year     averagi'il 
twenty-live  bushels   ])er    acre,    which  went 


THOMAS  11.  c.\.\i-n:i.n. 


45 


(sixty  and  clean   up  to  sixty-four  jmunds  to 

tlio  Idisliel.  Since  then  the  grasslioppers 
liiive  ceased  their  visitations,  and  the  crop 
()['  wiieat  has  been  good,  particularly  during 
tlie  last  two  years,  including  this  present  one. 
Many  an  American,  during  these  five  years 
of  wheat  famine,  left  for  'other  fields  and 
pastures  new,'  but  the  Scandinavian  raised 
liis  -garden  sass,'  killed  muskrats,  i)artered 
[the  skins  to  the  storekeepers  to  settle  his 
grocery  bills,  and  lived  through,  and  the 
iiiost  of  them  sire  in  a  prosperous  condition 
I  to-day. 

•'  Lake  Park  derives  its  ini])ortance  not  sini- 
ij)ly  from  its  surroundings  and  resources,  but 
[from  its  being  located  on  that  grand  trans- 
continental route,  the  Xorthern  Pacific  llail- 
road,  wliich  Mr.  Thomas  H.  Canfield,  before 
alluded  t<>  in  this  liistory,  spent  the  best  part 
lof  his  (lavs  in  its  dark   and  j^looniv  days  to 
linaugurate.      Pardon,    reader,    but    if    this 
jgentlenian  would  cease  his  active  life  (for  he 
lis  an  intensely  busy  man)  and  write  a  history 
[of  that  road  from  its  inception  to  date,  how 
lit  was  received   and    voted   upon  by   distin- 
Iguished  men  in  pul)lic  life,  wiio  would   now 
[hang  their  heads  were  their  votes  reprinted, 
how  scientific,  learned  and  profound   men — 
not  a  few  regarded   him   as  visionary — who 
•with  seer-like  vision  prophesied  thegloriesof 
the    Xorthwest,    and   urged,    with   all    the 
learnestness  of  his  nature,  its  immediate  adop- 
Ition ;  how  the  project,   after  going   u|)  and  I 
jdown,  received  a  gigantic   impulse   forward 
|froni   'Old  Thad,'  and   was    further  accele- 
1  rated  iiy  tlie  cool,  hard  sense  of  (ien.  Grant; 
Ihow  on  the  eve   of    success    it   fell  through 
lunder  the  unfortunate,  but  to-day  even  jnis- 
understood,  financial  operationsof  Jay  Cooke, 
[tiie  ludicrous  and    humorous    incidents   con 
Inected  therewith,  as  well  as  the  serious  ;  how 
lit    finally  revived  under   President    Villard, 
land  lias  now    been    consummat .d,  it   would 
[have  all  the  intense  interest  of  the  i)est  wi-it- 
[ten  novel,  as  well  as  the  weight  of  authenti- 


cated history.  Ves,  yes.  The  Northern 
Pacific  Ilailroad  is  part  and  parcel  of  the 
History  of  Lake  I'ark  as  well  as  the  lakes,  and 
tiiis  episode  properly  belongs  here. 

"On  this  road.  24(i  miles  froraSt.  l*auland 
21S  from  Dulutli  on  the  one  side  and  l,T()i> 
from  Puget  Sound  on  the  other.  Lake  Park 
is  situated.  Tliree  passenger  trains  eastward 
and  westward  halt  here  each  day  as  they 
pursue  their  journeys.  Innumerable  freight 
trains  also  go  backward  and  r'orward,  which 
not  only  interchange  the  products  of  States 
and  Territories  as  now,  but  the  best  of 
Eastern  and  Western  civilization;  for  the 
prophecy  of  Thomas  Benton, '  There  is  India, ' 
is  no  myth.  Thus  the  reader  will  see  that 
Lake  Park  is  in  the  center  of  civilization  and 
one  of  the  most  easily  accessii)le  ])laces  in 
the  West. 

"Thus  Mr.  Canfield  has  demonstrated  that 
here  is  a  section  which  can  i)roduce  wheat 
e(jually  as  well  as  any  other  part  of  the  Red 
River  Valley,  and  in  addition  has  the  natural 
advantages  for  stock-raising.  Although 
higher  than  Quebec,  reaching  near  to  the  47th 
parallel,  this  region  in  its  quickness  of 
growth,  variety  of  crops,  salubrity  of  cli- 
mate and  health  of  itspeople,  is  unsurpassed. 
To  sum  it  all  up:  That  he  wiio  would  fol- 
low farming  as  an  avocation,  and  not  as  a 
speculation,  must  do  so  on  the  diversified 
plan." 

I'KKSi  INAI,    (HAUACTKKISTICS. 

Mr.  Canfield  has  now  been  engaged  in 
active  business  forty -nine  years,  during  which 
time  he  has  never  taken  a  day  specially  for 
recreation  or  pleasure,  so  called,  but  has 
found  his  pleasure  in  the  work  in  which  he 
has  bet.n  engaged.  I)elieving  therein'  he  was 
{lointr  some  good  to  his  fellow-men  and  his 
country. 

Althouy-h  of  a  slender  frame  and  fragile 
constitution,  he  is  yet  a|tparently  as  well  and 
active  and  moves  with  the  same  elastic  stej) 
as  twenty  years  ago.  which  he  attributes  in 


46 


n/OM.IS  II.  CAXI'I-I.D. 


a  great  degree  to  his  constant  busy  life  and 
tejnperatc'   liabits  in  all  things,  except  work. 
He  is  a  good   judge  of  human  nature,  ena- 
bling him  to  be  an  excellent  organizer  and 
manager  of  men,  (juick  in  observation,  clear 
in  judgment  and  rapid  in  executi(jn.     While 
being  naturally    self-reliant,   to   which    his 
varied  ex[)erience  has  contributed,  yet  he  is  I 
ready  at   all  times  to   listen  to  others  and  ] 
adopt  tiieir  views,  even  if  they  differ  from   j 
his  own,  if  tliey  have  merit  in  them,     Modest  \ 
in  his  pretensions,  he  is  ever  ready  to  give  to  i 
otliers  the  credit  of  any  good  work,  although  | 
he  may  have  been  mainly  instrumental   in  ' 
bringing  it  about.     Having   been   engaged 
most  of  his  life  in  work  of  a  public  character,  j 
and     connected    nith    numy    great    enter-  ! 
prises,    he     has     an     extended    knowledge  ' 
of    the  country    and    broad   and    compi-e-  | 
hensive    ideas   as    to    its  capacity  and    re-   j 
sources,  and  entertains   the  most  sanguine  I 
views    as    to     its     futui'e    greatness     and  i 
power.     When  once  enlisted  in  any  scheme 
which  comnuinds  his  approi)ation,  lie  is  very 
persistent  and  persevering  until  it  is  accom- 
plished, no  nuitter  how  difficult  it  may  l)e  or 
how  serious  the  obstacles  to  be  encountered. 
Tlie  nhii  of  (hfi  lit  ix'i'er  enters  into  liLs  cal- 
culatioiis.      lie   is   very   I'etiring,  talks   l)ut 
little,  is  a  good  listener,  but  clear  in  his  ideas 
of  riyht  and  wrong  and  lirm  in  maintaininir 
them.     He   is  generous  almost   to   a    fault, 
and  in  anything  in  which  he  believes  he  is 
ready  to  back  his  acts  witli   his  money,  so 
far  as  lu3  is  al)le;  a  true  and  lirm  friend  to 
those  who  gain  his  couiidencc  —  and   manv 
are   the   men   in    good    circumstances    and 
))rominent  positions,  in  dilferent  parts  of  the 
country,  who  are  indeljted  for  them  to  his 
early  aid  and  assistance. 

lie  is  averse  to  undue  displav  and 
notoriety,  disliking  anything  wliicii  smacks 
of  "  fuss  and  featliers,"  and  dreads  to  appear 
before  the  i)ublic,  unless  his  duties  or  the 
necessities  of  the  work  u})on  which  he  is 
engaged  require  it. 


He  is  never  so  liapjn'  as  when  at  liis 
country  home,  on  Lake  Champlnin,  sur- 
rounded by  his  cliarming  family, and  joinuij; 
in  all  the  details  of  their  phms  and  schemes 
with  the  greatest  pleasure. 

At  different  times  he  has  l)een  activelv 
engaged  in  political  matters,  but  always 
refusing  to  accept  any  ottice  of  any  kind. 
pnUerring  to  aid  those  whom  he  deeincd 
capable  of  filling  juiblic  stations.  Arriviiii; 
at  his  majority  when  the  old  Whig  party 
Avas  prominent,  his  tirj^t  vote  was  cast  for  its 
nominees,  and  he  continued  identified  with 
it  until  it  was  succeeded  by  the  Kepublicjiii 
party,  to  which  he  has  since  belonged.  He 
understands  thoroughly  all  the  great  politi- 
cal issues  which  have  agitated  the  country 
for  the  last  fortv  vears.  as  well  as  the  iircat 
commercial  cjuestions  wliicli  involve  the  busi- 
ness and  prosperity  of  these  United  States. 
Few  men  have  had  a  more  extensive  ac- 
quaintance and  knowledge  in  the  last  genera- 
tion of  the  ])rominent  men  of  the  nation, 
whether  in  politics  or  business, 

A   I'HoMINKNr  CirLKcnMAN. 

lie  is  !i!i  active  member  of  the  Protestant 
Episcojtal  (yhurch,  having  been  brought  up  in 
it  h\>n\  childhood,  tlie  house  in  which  lie 
was  born  in  Arlington,  Vermont,  being  tlie 
one  occupietl  by  his  grandfather,  Nathan 
Canlielil,  the  lay  ilelegate  to  the  first  conven- 
tion <jf  the  Diocese  of  Vermont,  which  was 
organized  at  Arlington  in  179(»;  and,  as  will 
be  seen  from  the  above,  his  ffreat-ureat- 
grandfather,  (.'apt.  Jehiel  Ilawley,  had  otlici- 
atedas  Lay-Ueadi'i-  of  the  Church  service  reg- 
ularly on  Sundays  from  1704  until  his  death. 
lie  was  i)aptized  in  infancy  in  the  old  original 
church  at  Arlington  by  "Priest  Bronson,"  one 
of  the  first  clergymen  in  Vermont,  and  con- 
firmed by  P.ishop  Ho])kins  in  St.  Paul's 
church,  Purlingtoii,  Good  Friday,  18J-8.  llf 
was  for  many  years  a  vestryman  and  warden 
of    St.   Paul's  church,  Jiad    charge    of    the 


7710.]/, IS  II.  C.tXIII.I  n. 


47 


fiihii«,'ein('nt  of  the  church  in  1852,  raisinj,'  the 
iiKiiiey  for  It.  and  agiiin  in  isr»8  in  hiiiUiini,' 
tlic  tiiitist'pt,  (levotiny  mnch  tinu;  as  well  as 
iiKint'V.  lit'  has  attended  every  t'onvenlioti 
(i|  tlie  Diocese  of  Vermont  for  thirty-seven 
VL'iirs.  twentv-ci^ht  of  wliich  he  has  been  the 
secretary  of  it.  For  several  years  he  was  a 
iiiciiilier  of  the  Standinf^  Connnittee  of  tlie 
I>iocese,  and  also  representeil  it  as  Deputy  in 
the  five  general  conventions  of  the  Cliureli  in 
tlie  United  States,  lield  in  Philadelphia  in 
ls:.r..  in  Kiclnnond,  Virginia,  in  1S5!»,  in  Xew 
Vorli  in  1874,  in  lioston  in  1877,  and  in  C'iii- 
ciigo  in  ()ctoi»er,  ISSt). 

Of  the  original  incorporators  and  trustees 
of  the  \'erniont  Episcopal  Institute,  char- 
tered in  18.")4,  he  and  the  Hon.  E.  J.  I'lielps, 
the  present  United  .States  Minister  at  tlie 
Court  of  St.  .lames,  are  the  only  survivors, 
lie  has  been  the  resident  trustee  ever  since, 
iiavin;;-  charge  of  its  affairs,  and  as  treasurer 
for  the  last  twenty-Jive  years.  lie  was 
closely  identified  with  the  late  Hisliop  Hop- 
kins in  the  negotiations  for  the  100  acres  at 
KiM'U  Point,  Ihirlington,  Vermont,  for  an 
Kpiscopal  residence  and  church  schools,  and 
ill  tlie  erection  of  the  large  stone  building 
for  the  theological  and  academical  depart- 
ments. During  the  last  two  years  he  has 
Ijeeii  verv  active  and  instrumental  in  raising 
.siio.doo  for  the  buildings  for  the  voun": 
Indies'  dei»urtment,  and  has  had  full  charge 
nf  the  erection  of  them  upon  the  same 
property. 

There  is  probably  nothing  which  Mr. 
Cimlield  has  done  in  his  whole  life  in  which 
he  iias  taken  nu)re  interest,  or  regards  of 
niniv  iiiipoi'tance,  than  the  erectionof ''Bishop 
Ibipkins'  Hall,"  at  lUirlington,  Vermont,  for 
tlie  purpose  of  a  church  school  for  young 
liitlies.  not  onlyonaccountofthehigh  standard 

I  of  intellectual,  scientific  and  classical  instruc- 
tion   maintained    therein,  but   es[)ecially  for 

itiie  luiii'iil  and  religious  culture  which  the 
pupils    will    i-eceive   through  the   elevating 


intluences  and  Christian  training  of  The 
Church.  Considering  the  positions  these 
young  ladies  may  be  called  upon  to  occiipv 
in  ditfereiit  parts  of  our  wide-s-pread  land 
hereafter,  whether  as  teachers,  wives  or 
mothers,  their  influence  upon  the  civ- 
ilization and  iiiiprovenient  itf  the  coin- 
munity  where  their  lot  may  be  cast 
must  necessarily  reflect  the  training  and 
instruction  received  at  their  Alma  Mater, 
and  constitute  a  continual  living  force  for  all 
time  to  come,  the  iisefMliiess  of  which  to 
society,  the  church  and  future  generations 
can  not  be  cslinuited  by  any  hunum  mind. 

Around  a  refined  an<l  well-oi'<lered  home, 
the  center  of  wliich  is  llu"  wife  ami  mother, 
cluster  the  most  intense  affections  ami 
etulearments  of  all — on  them,  under  (ioil, 
depend  the  most  precious  interests  of  the 
rising  generation.  The  most  [tersuasive  and 
active  influence  in  every  religious  work  rests 
in  their  hands,  and  without  them  in  these 
degenerate  days  we  slioidd  have  licit  her 
church,  minister  lujr  i)eople.  and  how  import- 
ant then  that  their  education  have  for  its 
fouiulatioii  the  Christian  religion. 

Mr.  Cantield  regai'ds  the  establishment  of 
this  institution  iis  the  climax  of  liis  life's 
work:  and  althdUgh  perliapsof  not  as  much 
magnitude  in  the  estimation  of  the  ])ul)lic  as 
some  other  things  which  he  has  done,  yet 
the  real  intrinsic  yood  which  it  will  confer 
upon  maidvind  will  ite  constant  and  perpet- 
ual :  a  high  and  important  destiny  awaits  it 
—  it  will  be  a  fitting  exponetitof  the  refined 
and  elevated  influence  of  our  Church  institu- 
tions, maintaining  that  tiioroughness  of  in- 
tellectual, scientilic  ami  Christian  eilucation, 
whose  solidity  of  structure  and  completeiujss 
of  pi'o|)ortions  will  ..luse  it  to  harmonize 
with  all  the  beauty  and  grandeur  of  the 
teachings  of  The  Church,  as  does  the  build- 
ing itself  with  the  iieauty  and  grandeur 
of  the  uuignificent  and  diversified  .scenery 
bv     which     it       is     sui'rounded.      lb'      has 


1 


48 


77/0.]/. IS  //.  CAiy/-7/:/.D. 


so  iniinaged  the  finances  of  this  cor- 
|)(>ration  tliat  tlie  Diocese  of  Vermont  has 
now  tills  l>eautiful  property  on  tlie  l)anl<s  of 
LalieCliani plain,  of  loo  acres,  with  an  Epis- 
copal residence,  a  large  stone  building  for 
the  theological  department  and  hovs'  school, 
and  another  of  eipial  dimensions  for  the 
young  liulies'  school,  both  in  successful  oper- 
ation, and  tlie  whole  paid  for  —  not  a  dollar 
of  deht  ouii;f"Hffi/if/  ov  any  lien  upon  the 
property. 

lie  was  mainly  instrumental  in  mising 
the  money  for  building  Trinity  chape!, 
Winooski,  Vermont,  the  plan  being  jirepared 
by  his  brother-in-law,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Ilopkins, 
as  was  also  that  of  the  Episcopal  church  at 
Brainerd,  Minnesota,  which  he  founded, 
famishing  the  block  on  wtiich  it  stands  and* 
half  the  money  for  the  building.  He  also 
furnished  the  sites  for  the  churches  at  Moor- 
head  an<l  Lake  Park,  Minnesota.  liismarck, 
Dakota,  and  Kalama,  Washington  Territory, 
and  assisted  in  buihling  the  churdes.  How- 
ever much  he  may  be  absorijed  in  business, 
he  always  finds  time  to  attend  to  The 
Church  and  its  interests. 

Few  men  have  ever  had  a  more  busv  life, 
which  from  |)resent  indications  is  likely  to 
continue  in  the  same  way  to  the  end;  and 
he  j)robably  will,  as  he  says  he  expects  to  do, 
"  die  in  the  harness.'' 

CONCLUSION. 

As  the  writer  pens  the  closing  sentences  of 
the  life  history  of  this  truly  great  man,  a 
newspaper,  the  Manchester  JuurnaU  one  of 


the  leading  journals  of  Vermont,  fulls  into 
his  hand.s,  containing  an  article  which  forms 
a  fitting  conciusi(»n  for  this  biography,  illus- 
trating the  standing  of  Mr.  Cnntield  in  his 
native  State,  the  respect  in  which  he  is  Ixlij 
and  the  prominence  he  has  attained.  The 
Rff\'.  Dr.  WickhaiYi  refefred  to  in  the  arti('lt\ 
one  of  the  most  able  m«>n  in  Vermont,  sue- 
ceciled  the  Itev.  Dr.  Coleman  as  principal  (if 
Hurr  Semin.'  y  for  thirty  years.  The  Editr)r 
who  had  evidently  written  an  article  on 
the  Northern  Pacific  Railroad,  for  tlie 
Manchester  Jonrnal  says  :  "  Rev.  Dr.  "Wick- 
ham  sends  us  a  note,  saying  that  lip 
was  very  greatly  interested  in  the  article  on 
the  Northern  Pacific  Railroad.  Thomas  II. 
Canfield  was  a  student  at  Burr  Semioary 
just  before  Dr.  Wickham  came  here,  fifty-one 
years  ago,  but  the  doctor  was  well  acquainted 
with  him  before  he  left  Arlington,  and  went 
down  there  at  his. solicitation  and  gave  a  tem- 
perance lecture  to  an  association  forme 
mainly  by  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Canfield,  then 
considerably  less  than  twenty  years  of  age. 
Dr.  Wickham  was  then  greatly  impressed 
with  his  energy  and  formed  high  hopes  for 
the  future  of  the  young  man,  which  have  not 
been  disappointed.  Dr.  Wickham  adds : 
'  If  Burlington  can  boast  of  her  Edmunds 
Uie  leatler  of  the  United  Sttites  Senate,  and 
of  Phelps,  the  eminent  jurist  and  distin- 
guished representative  at  the  Court  of  St. 
James,  she  has  not  another  citizen  that 
has  honored  her  more  than  Thomas  II. 
Canfield.'  " 


%  I 


)nt,  fulls  iiitii 
which  forms 
graphy,  illus- 
'iin field  in  his 
ich  ho  is  Id'IiI 
tallied.  Tlic 
in  the  article, 
Vermont,  sue- 
I  principal  of 

The  Editor 
n  article  on 
ad,  for  tlie 
Bv.  Dr.  Wick- 
iig  that  lie 
the  article  on 

Thomas  II. 
urr  Semioarv 
lere,  fifty-one 
jll  acquainted 
ton,  and  went 
d  gave  a  tem- 
ation  forme 
I!antield,  then 
years  of  age. 
:ly  impressed 
igh  hopes  for 
hich  have  not 
ikham  adds : 
ler  Edmunds, 
i  Senate,  and 
it  and  distin- 
Court  of  St. 
citizen  that 
I   Thomas   II. 


